IndyCar Series Best Bets: Bommarito Automotive Group 500

The NTT IndyCar Series heads to World Wide Technology Raceway outside St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday night in what drivers hope will be a lot less eventful than last week’s race at Pocono.

A massive first lap crash-marred Pocono for the second straight year. A number of high profile drivers were involved in the accident including Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Rossi, Takuma Sato, James Hinchcliffe, and rookie Felix Rosenqvist.

The 1.25-mile short oval on tap this week is a far cry from the massive 2.5-mile triangle the series was on at Pocono. St. Louis is much more a finesse track that combines speed with tight quarters to create a challenging 500-kilometer affair under the lights. It is the last oval track race of the season and with only three events left in 2019, championship implications abound on Saturday night.

Bommarito Auto Group 500 Picks

PICK ONE: Josef Newgarden to Win

The Team Penske driver leads the point standings and extended his lead to 35 after Pocono. Newgarden is locked in on trying to wrap up the title if possible as quickly as possible and another good run coupled with trouble for his competitors will take him one step closer to that goal. He’s won in St. Louis before and has an average finish of 4.0 in his two previous starts at the track. Bet Newgarden to win at +400 and +100 to reach podium at 888Sport.com.

PICK TWO: Alexander Rossi to Reach Podium

Rossi’s title hopes took a big hit figuratively and literally last week in Pocono when he was swept up in the early race crash. He cannot afford any more bad finishes the rest of the way to have any hope of winning the crown. He has a second-place finish in two previous St. Louis starts. Bet Rossi at +100 to reach the podium at 888Sport.com.

PICK THREE: Will Power to Reach Podium

The defending race winner is considered one of the best oval track racers in the series as evident of his Indianapolis 500 and St. Louis victories of a year ago. Power comes to the weekend with great momentum after his Pocono victory last week and remains a player in the championship picture. Bet Power at +125 to see a podium finish at 888Sport.com.

PICK FOUR: James Hinchcliffe to Reach Podium

A long shot for sure considering his season that has not gone to plan for the popular Hinchcliffe. He remains winless and has only put one top-five finish on the board in 2019. However, Hinchcliffe has shown his strength on short ovals like St. Louis and with his future regarding next year and beyond up in the air, there’s a little more of an intangible riding along with the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver. Bet Hinchcliffe at +375 to finish with a podium result at 888Sport.com.