Children’s of Alabama Indy GP Odds: Best Bets for IndyCar Round 3 in Alabama

It’s been one week since IndyCar’s last race in Long Beach but there’s been plenty of drama already. Following Scott Dixon’s win, the series announced that Josef Newgarden was disqualified from his win in St. Petersburg last month. IndyCar officials determined Newgarden used push-to-pass (P2P) during a restart and removed his win.

That moves Dixon up to the top spot in the championship. The Children’s of Alabama Indy GP Odds are not available but here are the favorites and sleepers this weekend:

Children’s of Alabama Indy GP Odds: Favorites

Álex Palou

Palou’s up to third in the IndyCar standings at 67 points and just 12 behind championship leader Dixon. He’s run just three races at Barber Motorsports Park but he’s been a standout driver in all three. He won from third on the grid in his first race there in 2021 and followed that with second in 2022 and fifth last year. He’s never qualified outside the top three at this track. The defending champion should be considered the favorite this weekend.

Scott Dixon

Dixon’s in a familiar place – leading the IndyCar championship – following his win and Newgarden’s disqualification. This marks Dixon’s 14th IndyCar race at this track but he is yet to win a race there. He’s come close on many occasions, finishing second six times and third three times. He’s qualified outside of the top 10 just once in this run. After a win last weekend, he has the momentum he needs to break through for his first win in Alabama.

Josef Newgarden

This week’s been marred by drama off the track and Newgarden could struggle in the race because of it. He’s traditionally a strong driver in Birmingham with three wins in this event but his last victory came in 2018. Since then, he’s managed just one top-five finish in four races. A crash knocked him out of the 2021 event here but he dropped down the order in the race in both 2022 and 2023. He’s surely looking to bounce back this week from losing his St. Petersburg win but he may have better luck later on in the IndyCar schedule.

Colton Herta

Herta’s started 2024 off stronger than most on the IndyCar grid. Only Palou can match his run of three consecutive top-five finishes following disqualifications for Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin. He’s just two points behind Dixon for the lead at the top of the standings. 

He’s struggled mightily at Barber Motorsports Park in the past. He had to retire early in 2019 (fuel pressure issue) and 2021 (crash) but hasn’t done much better since. In 2022, he started and finished 10th. Last year, he started and finished 14th. It’d be a surprise with his track record to see Herta on the top step of the podium but he’s doing well enough in 2024 to be in contention.

Pato O’Ward

Newgarden’s disqualification gave O’Ward his first IndyCar win since the 2022 season. That means he’s squarely at the top of the standings even after finishing 16th in Long Beach. Since joining Arrow McLaren, O’Ward’s performed well at Barber Motorsports Park. In 2021, he qualified on pole and finished fourth. In 2022, he qualified second and won. Last year, he qualified third and finished fourth. He’s consistently been in the fight for a win or near it and makes a good case as a favorite this weekend.

Children’s of Alabama Indy GP Odds: Sleepers

Scott McLaughlin

McLaughlin is last in the IndyCar standings after his disqualification from St. Petersburg. His best result of the year – second in Thermal – wasn’t a championship race so the Team Penske driver has just five championship points to his name. Luckily, he comes to a track he’s already won at this week. He won at Barber Motorsports Park last year from fourth on the grid. He needs a good result to recover from the disqualification and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him at the front again.

Rinus Veekay

Veekay’s had some solid results in 2024 so far with eighth in St. Petersburg and 14th in Long Beach. That could get even better this week. Birmingham is his best event on the calendar by average finish (eighth) and he took pole position there in 2022. He led 57 laps that time around en route to third by the chequered flag. After a down performance in 2023, he could return to his good form at this track in 2024.

Romain Grosjean

If IndyCar betting lines were posted, Grosjean would likely be a strong sleeper contender. The Frenchman finished second in this event a year ago after starting on pole and duking it out with eventual winner McLaughlin. Last week, he managed eighth in Long Beach for his best result since Nashville last season. His road course background will likely come in handy as well. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him fighting for a win again.

Children’s of Alabama Indy GP Odds: Predictions for Birmingham

This weekend marks a return to road courses with championship points following St. Petersburg, Thermal, and Long Beach. The circuit’s long many medium- and high-speed corners cater to close, exciting racing. This year should be no different.

Of the favorites, Palou looks like the man to beat this weekend. He’s in good form already and has a proven track record at the circuit. Of the sleepers, look for Grosjean to do one better than last year and surprise for his first IndyCar career victory.

For IndyCar betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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