Ultimate Guide to Betting on IndyCar Racing

Have you decided to take a look at wagering on IndyCar? If so, then some suggestions and tips may be what you need to get started! Here is the ultimate guide to betting on IndyCar racing, which will give you a brief history of the racing series along with some insider information on the basics you need to know.

IndyCar Betting Sites

What is IndyCar?

The IndyCar Racing Series is the highest level of open-wheel racing in the United States. The cars have similar characteristics to Formula One race cars, as both are single-seat with the driver centered in the vehicle with an “open-wheel” design. IndyCar-style racing has been around since 1905 through 1911. That’s when drivers started turning laps in cars on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the running of the first Indianapolis 500.

Since then, there have been several governing/sanctioning bodies, a few splits as with the former CART Series, reunifications and bumps in the road. Stability came when IndyCar and Cart/Champ Car World Series unified in 2008, merging all of the Series’s records. Then, in 2019 legendary racing car owner and former driver Roger Penske purchased IndyCar Series.

The IndyCar Series races on oval, road and street courses in the United States and Canada with a season that includes over 20 races a year. The largest race of the year is the Indianapolis 500, which traditionally takes place on the Memorial Day weekend. Now that you have some basic history of IndyCar racing it’s time to look at the ultimate guide to betting on IndyCar racing for suggestions and tips on wagering! Keep in mind, the options available to you when placing a bet may vary depending on your chosen platform and the actual race.

IndyCar Outright Winner Betting

One of the most well-known ways to wager on IndyCar racing is to select a winner outright. All you have to do is pick the driver that crosses the finish line first! If this is your preferred method for wagering on a race then check out the record of past winners at the same track among active drivers. Knowledge of stats is always a great help when making a decision when betting. You should also look at the record of drivers during the current season. If you spot a driver that has already won twice on similar tracks this season then that driver may be one to lean towards.

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IndyCar Podium Finish Betting

A podium finish in IndyCar racing is when the race is over the top three finishers take to the winner’s podium to celebrate. Think of the medal ceremony after an Olympic event. You’ll have the winner, the second-place finisher and then the third-place finisher. The same applies to a podium finish when it comes to IndyCar racing. Once again, look at the stats of drivers at the same track in the past as well as how they’ve done this season. Look at average finish positions and drivers that trend towards the top three and top five finishing positions.

IndyCar Winning Team or Manufacturer Betting

Depending on the wagering platform, you can also pick which team or manufacturer that you think will win. Like NASCAR, one IndyCar team may have several drivers entered into a race. You don’t have to pick the driver that wins a race, but only the team that the winning driver represents. The manufacturer option may not be available in every race as there are only two engine manufacturers currently in the series and they are Chevrolet and Honda. Look at wins by engine manufacturer and team during the current season for stats to take into account. This type of bet is often an option when picking the winner of the manufactures title for the entire season.

IndyCar Prop Bets by Race

Some prop bets you may come across when wagering on an IndyCar race could include the number of cautions, the number of red flags, the total time the race takes and more. There are also head-to-head wagers that allow you to pick between two drivers. Just pick which of the two you think will have a better finish. As with all of the above tips, take a dive into available stats for handicapping information. Stats already mentioned – especially average finish – will come in handy when looking at head-to-head wagers.

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Other IndyCar Betting Considerations

The ultimate guide to betting on IndyCar racing would not be complete without a few suggestions that step slightly away from just gathering statistics. There are a few things that one should consider starting with putting your personal favorites to the side unless you can back your selection up with data. Yes, there is always a place for a “gut feeling” when it comes to a driver that you like, but backing that feeling with stats could probably yield more success.

That’s when a “gut feeling” starts to play out! For example, you may have a favorite driver that is down the odds list, but you know that the same driver has won a few races at the upcoming track and has run well at similar tracks this season. Always look for a driver that is a good match for the track for the race that you are wagering on.

Placing IndyCar Wagers

Now that you know some of the types of wagers available and how to look for stats to back up your picks you should be able to place some bets with added confidence. The key to any wagering selection is to have some data to back up your picks.

Yes, every racing fan has a favorite driver but that’s not the best way to make a selection. It always helpful to have additional information to round out your bets. The tips listed above may seem simple, but sometimes simple works! Use them to get started developing your own technique. Wagering has changed with the introduction of online platforms and easy-to-use apps.

The options for placing different types of wagers are always growing as online wagering is developing into an entertainment outlet. Hopefully, the ultimate guide to betting on IndyCar racing will be helpful to you.

About the Author
Kent Whitaker
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