New engines but similar IndyCar favorites in 2024 Honda Indy 200 Odds
After another win at Laguna Seca, Álex Palou looks primed for another run
This week marks a massive change in the IndyCar Series. For the first time, the series will run hybrid technology in its cars.
Instead of the 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines run for the first half of the season, the grid will be powered by 2.4-liter hybrid powertrains. Despite the change, a familiar driver leads the 2024 Honda Indy 200 Odds this weekend at Mid-Ohio.
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2024 Honda Indy 200 Odds: Favorites
Álex Palou (+170)
Palou earned his third win of the season (second points-paying) at Laguna Seca from pole position. His lead in the championship is now 23 points ahead of Will Power in second in the IndyCar standings.
Palou’s had a mixed track record at Mid-Ohio. He finished 12th and 23rd in 2020 before making a jump following his move to Chip Ganassi Racing. Since then he’s finished third (2021), second (2022), and won last year.
Palou is the favorite for a good reason, and he could extend his championship lead once again this week.
Colton Herta (+450)
Herta’s enjoying a much better campaign in 2024 than 2023. His second-place finish in Laguna Seca marked his third podium of the year compared to one last year.
He and Palou both have experience driving hybrid open-wheel cars due to their testing with Formula 1 cars.
Herta’s track record in Mid-Ohio is solid. He won one of the two races in 2020 from pole position and took pole position last year as well. But he finished 11th last year, 15th in 2022, and 13th in 2021.
His better form this year lends confidence he’ll have a better result with these Indycar race odds.
Scott Dixon (+900)
No driver can match Dixon’s track record in Mid-Ohio. He’s won six races at the course in the IndyCar Series but the most recent one came in 2019. Since then, he’s finished in the top-10 each race but no higher than second last year.
Dixon’s sixth-place last time out in Laguna Seca has him in third behind Palou and Power in the IndyCar standings. That was an improvement from 21st in Road America. If there’s a place you can count on Dixon to have a great result on the IndyCar schedule, Mid-Ohio is a good bet.
Sleepers
Pato O’Ward (+1000)
Like Palou and Herta, O’Ward’s driven hybrid Formula 1 machinery and that experience could come in handy with the new powertrains this weekend. His eighth-place result in Laguna Seca has him sixth in the standings but he’s 77 points behind Palou.
O’Ward’s track record in Mid-Ohio is mixed. He’s finished in the top 10 in three of his last five IndyCar races there. He took pole position here in 2022 and led 28 laps before a fuel system issue knocked him out of the race. Backing O’Ward this weekend is banking on his hybrid running experience.
Scott McLaughlin (+1000)
McLaughlin had a rough outing in Laguna Seca and finished 21st after his podium in Road America. He’s been inconsistent lately with 20th in Detroit before Road America. If that trend holds, he should be in for a better result in Mid-Ohio.
Will Power (+1200)
Power continued one of his better starts to an IndyCar season with seventh in Laguna Seca. That marks his seventh top-10 finish in the first eight races of the year. That consistency is how he’s only 23 points behind Palou despite winning one race to Palou’s two.
Power’s track record in Mid-Ohio is metronomically consistent. He’s finished outside the top 15 just once: in 2021, due to a crash on Lap 4. Last year, he went from seventh on the grid to third by the checkered flag. In 2022, he went from 21st to third. Even with the change in powertrain, Power should be in for a strong result.
Alexander Rossi (+2000)
Rossi learned this week that he won’t be returning in 2025 with Arrow McLaren. But he’s on a good roll recently with three top-five finishes in the last four races.
His track record in Mid-Ohio is good with a win here from pole position in 2018 and five top-10 results in the six races since then.
2024 Honda Indy 200 Odds: Predictions
This weekend will be a reset for the grid. The hybrid powertrains will be something new for every driver to get a handle on and could change the hierarchy.
Of the favorites, it’s hard to bet against Palou (+170). His form is great and has experience with a hybrid powertrain. Of the sleepers, go with Power (+1200). His momentum is promising and his track record makes him worth a flyer on for a great payout.
For IndyCar betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
