Do you prefer backing Indy 500 sleepers instead of the favorites because of the lucrative odds? I’m here to help by sharing my best longshots for the 2024 edition!
Most gamblers will focus on Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward, but the best online sportsbooks offers excellent prices on other potential winners.
I explore the latest odds for the race and select the best 2024 Indy 500 sleepers on the board. Head below to check out my full analysis and top underdog picks to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”!
2024 Indy 500 Sleepers: Summary
| DRIVER | ODDS | SPORTSBOOK |
|---|---|---|
| Will Power | +1600 | BetUS |
| Colton Herta | +2200 | BetUS |
| Felix Rosenqvist | +2500 | BetUS |
| Alexander Rossi | +4000 | Bovada |
Although a couple of these aren’t what many IndyCar Series fans would consider sleeper drivers, the IndyCar 500 odds suggest they are dark horses on the grid at the Brickyard. In other words, there is superb value available for the 2024 Indy 500. Let’s see why!
Will Power (+1600)
- Team: Team Penske
- Manufacturer: Chevrolet
- Chief Mechanic: Trevor Lacasse
- 2024 Standings: 2nd
Will Power to win the Indy 500 at +1600!? According to BetUS, Power has the ninth-best odds to kiss the bricks on May 26. Expressed differently, the No. 12 Team Penske Chevy has an implied probability of just 5.9%!
The two-time Indy 500 winner in 2014 and 2022 is a sleeper to win the event in 2024. Power’s wins coincide with championship seasons in 2014 and 2022.
Is the superstar on course to win the IndyCar Series title this season? Despite going winless through his first four races, Power is second in the standings. He has notched 140 points, with three top-5 and four top-10 finishes!
Power only trails Palou’s 152 points, who is coming off a win and has been the strongest driver on the grid in 2024. Nevertheless, Power is within striking distance, and can pull up right beside Palou if he can find the checkered flag at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Aussie has finished P2, P2, P2, and P6 in four events this season. He’s been the runner-up in three straight races, most recently 2nd in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis Road Course.
Power has also had a fast car in qualifying, starting P3, P2, P8, and P2 on the grid. In a recent practice session at the Brickyard, only Scott McLaughlin was faster than him.
Given his pedigree, I don’t necessarily view Power as a sleeper, but oddsmakers indicate otherwise as the ninth-likeliest driver to win. Power to win the Indy 500 is a great value pick!
Colton Herta (+2200)
- Team: Andretti Global
- Manufacturer: Honda
- Chief Mechanic: Nick Allen
- 2024 Standings: T3
Colton Herta is among the 2024 Indy 500 longshots that provide amazing value at the Brickyard. This is another bet I believe oddsmakers got all wrong. Herta should have considerably lower odds to win the Indy 500.
Currently, at +2200, he is given an implied chance to win of 4.3%. I don’t see it the same way, so you can ride strong betting value on Herta to win his first Indy 500!
The 24-year-old native of Santa Clarita, CA, is searching for the first Indy 500 win of his career. In 2019, Herta became the youngest driver to win an IndyCar Series race, but still hasn’t taken the checkered flag in the Indy 500 yet.
He was only slightly slower than Power in his latest practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — clocked at 227.858 mph.
For a driver with his talent, it will likely change sooner rather than later. Will it happen this year? The 2024 Indy 500 odds suggest no, Herta won’t win. That being said, his effort this season says otherwise.
Herta is tied with Scott Dixon for the third-most points in the 2024 season. He hasn’t won, but two top-5 and four top-10 performances show his consistency through four races. In every event this season, Herta has finished better than his qualifying position on the grid!
After finishing P9 in the 2023 Indy 500, I expect Herta to have a strong performance this year. As one of the most consistent drivers in the IndyCar Series, Herta is one of the best Indy 500 sleepers on betting apps at +2200!
Felix Rosenqvist (+2500)
- Team: Meyer Shank Racing
- Manufacturer: Honda
- Chief Mechanic: Jimmy Looper
- 2024 Standings: 5th
Felix Rosenqvist’s No. 60 Honda is another car that is being severely undervalued by oddsmakers. Currently, the 32-year-old Swede has an implied probability of winning the Indy 500 of just 3.8%.
Like Power and Herta, I see things much differently! In 2020, Rosenqvist became the first Swedish driver since 2002 to win an IndyCar Series race!
Two years ago, Rosenqvist was eight laps away from winning the Indy 500 but had to make a late pit stop to shutter his chances. He didn’t get the caution he was looking for, which would have given him a leading chance on fresh tires.
That’s the closest Rosenqvist has come to winning “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, but he is off to a quality start to his 2024 campaign. With 107 points, the veteran open-wheel driver has grabbed a top-10 finish in all four events this season.
Additionally, two top-5 performances at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the Grand Prix of Alabama were strong results for Rosenqvist. He’s also added a pole position in Long Beach to his resume this season!
The Swede has a better than 3.8% chance of winning, so he’s worth a bet at these generous odds of +2500.
Alexander Rossi (+4000)
- Team: Arrow McLaren
- Manufacturer: Honda
- Chief Mechanic: Todd Phillips
- 2024 Standings: 10th
Alexander Rossi returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in search of his second career win in the Indy 500. He came out on top in the 2016 Indy 500 and finished 11th in the standings as a rookie, so roughly where he currently stands.
As a longshot to win the Indy 500, Rossi has an implied probability to win of 2.4% at +4000 odds. Considering this price, the 32-year-old California native is one to consider for your best Indianapolis 500 sleepers.
Rossi is having a solid campaign in the 2024 IndyCar Series season. Despite failing to be in contention with the above-mentioned drivers, he has three top-10 finishes in four outings.
Rossi’s coming off a decent performance in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis Road Course for P8. Hei was even able to lead one lap on the road at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It was one of his better all-around efforts, including his fastest car in qualifying this season to start P7 on the grid. If Rossi can remain on form after that start, he should have a go at his second career Indy 500 win.
With the fifth-fastest car at 227.484 mph in the opening practice sessions, he appears to have a fast car heading into the Indy 500.
Rossi is getting undeniable value to win at +4000 odds, so I recommend considering the No. 7 car for your Indianapolis 500 longshots.
Where To Bet On Indy 500 Sleepers?
The best online sportsbook for placing your best Indy 500 sleeper picks is at BetUS. As opposed to the competition, the bookie is offering the best prices for most drivers. For instance, getting Power at +1600 is only available at BetUS at the moment.
If you decide to join, make your first deposit to score a 100% match bonus of up to $2,500 on the first three deposits. To get the most freebies, I recommend depositing with cryptocurrency for a 150% match bonus of up to $3,750 and 30 risk-free wagers!
