Indy 500 Winner Newgarden Favored at Illinois GP

Herta Top Contender on 2024 Illinois GP Odds Behind Favorite

Newgarden is the safest bet in oval IndyCar races.
Palou isn't as dominant as in 2023, but still strong enough to lead the field.
We favor McLaughlin (+600) for a strong oval comeback.

August 16, 2024 441 4 minutes readIndyCar News

2024 Illinois GP Odds: Indy 500 winner Newgarden favored again — Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP

Favorites
Sleepers
Predictions

The IndyCar Series’ summer break is over, and the grid is set for Round 13 at the World Wide Technology Raceway (WWT Raceway) in Madison, Ill.

Colton Herta ended a two-year win drought last time out in Toronto, the final street course event of the season. This weekend’s oval event is the first of four in the final five races, and the 2024 Illinois GP odds favor the top oval racer in the series.

Find the best Illinois bets, visit Point Spreads now!

2024 Illinois GP Odds: Favorites

Josef Newgarden (+320)

Newgarden finished 11th in Toronto amid a rough stretch for the two-time champion. He’s managed just two top-10 results on the last five races of the IndyCar schedule.

His lone win came at the Indy 500, his second in as many tries.

If you’re backing anyone at an oval race in IndyCar, Newgarden is the safest bet and his short odds reflect that.

Colton Herta (+500)

Herta’s dominant win pushes him into the top four of the IndyCar standings and just 57 points away from leader Álex Palou. It also gives him confidence he hasn’t had in years heading into the final stretch of the calendar.

Though Herta’s historically performed better on non-oval tracks, he has raced well in WWT Raceway. Last year he qualified second and led 13 laps before finishing sixth. In 2021, he led 101 laps before driveshaft failure knocked him out of contention. He has the momentum and a solid track record for the race this weekend.

Scott McLaughlin (+600)

McLaughlin’s 16th-place finish in Toronto snapped his streak of three consecutive podium finishes. This weekend could be a good opportunity to bounce back, though.

He won the first Iowa race and finished third in the second part of the doubleheader. He also took pole position for the Indy 500. McLaughlin’s oval prowess is much improved this season. A win wouldn’t be much of a surprise.

Pato O’Ward (+600)

O’Ward’s run of top-10 finishes came to an end in Toronto with 17th place. He went wide in Turn 1, resulting in a cascade of crashes while stuck in an awkward position. Sooner than later, he’s hoping to put that result behind him.

O’Ward has never won at WWT Raceway despite coming close multiple times. He’s finished no lower than fourth in five career IndyCar races there, including second place in 2020, 2021, and 2023. If he’s going to keep his title hopes alive, he needs a good result this weekend.

Álex Palou (+750)

Palou’s fourth-place finish in Toronto kept him at the top of the IndyCar standings entering the break with a 49-point lead. He hasn’t been as dominant as in 2023 but still good enough to keep the rest of the field behind him.

He did make IndyCar news this week as one of the Chip Ganassi drivers who will be taking an engine penalty this weekend. The penalty is because Palou is going beyond the permitted number of engines for the season.

A nine-spot grid penalty will impact him, but he finished fifth in the Indy 500 and second in the second Iowa race. His oval record this year should keep him in contention.

Scott Dixon (+800)

Dixon finished third in Toronto for his first podium since his win in Detroit. He could be in for an even better result this weekend, though. Dixon finished fourth in both Iowa races and third in the Indy 500.

He will be taking a grid penalty for the same reason as teammate Palou but has a long history of good oval performances. He won here from 16th on the grid last season.

Sleepers

David Malukas (+1500)

Malukas looked up to speed in Toronto after missing most of the season recovering from a broken wrist. Finishing sixth was by far his best result of the season.

With the summer break offering time to get settled after joining Meyer Shank Racing midseason, he should be in good position to contend.

He’s raced at WWT Raceway only twice in his career, though he’s fared quite well. In 2022, he went from 12th on the grid to second by the checkered flag.

In 2023, he went from sixth to third. It wouldn’t be a complete shock for him to win.

The No. 66 is here to race 😤@malukasdavid sets the fastest lap in opening practice at @WWTRaceway! pic.twitter.com/XCGUjCVhC4
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 16, 2024

Alexander Rossi (+2500)

Rossi is back in action after his broken thumb suffered during practice for Toronto. That’s good for bettors because he could surprise.

Rossi finished fourth in the Indy 500 this year and fourth at WWT Raceway last season. That recent form at ovals is promising.

Rinus Veekay (+6000)

Veekay’s odds are surprisingly long given his track record on ovals this season. Three of his four top-10 results in 2024 have come on ovals.

He’s had bad luck at WWT Raceway with a crash and mechanical issues ending his races early in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Those races aside, he has a good track record there.

In 2020, he raced from 14th to sixth and 18th to fourth in a doubleheader. Last year he went from 20th on the grid to 11th by the finish. At these IndyCar odds, he’s a high-reward option with a track record to back it up.

2024 Illinois GP Odds: Predictions

Unlike last year when it was the final oval event of the schedule, WWT Raceway kicks off a stretch of ovals to close the 2024 season. That may disrupt the standings starting this weekend.

Of the favorites, we like McLaughlin (+600) to bounce back with another strong oval performance. If you want a slightly better payout, go with Dixon (+800). Of the sleepers, we like Malukas (+1500) to take the victory.

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