If NASCAR betting is as powerful as a jet airplane turbo and betting on Formula One racing has been as steady as a Mercedes transmission, then IndyCar betting - with the notable exception of the Indianapolis 500 - traditionally has been about as potent as a lawn motor engine.
Open wheel proponents, who recently ended their debilitating 12-year feud when the Indy Car League and the Champ Car World Series put aside their differences to merge into the IndyCar Series this year, will be hoping to get back some of those fans who, like drivers such as Dario Franchitti, Pablo Montoya and Sam Hornish, have deserted to NASCAR over the past two or three years. Left unsaid is that the sport also would benefit greatly if motor racing betting fans returned to the fold as well.
On the latter point, sportsbooks can't be blamed for not doing their part, establishing a future book for the 2008 IndyCar season that began in Miami, March 29, in addition to posting individual racecar odds for each the sport's 16 events. Television, an incalculable and invaluable component to the ultimate success of any sports betting promotion, also will do its part with ABC (7), ESPN (2) and ESPN2 (7) dividing the neck twisting broadcast duties.
The IndyCar Series also has a not-so hidden weapon in 100-pound Danica Patrick, the raven-haired driver who attracts viewers (and, hopefully, bettors) with her cover-girl good looks and feisty racetrack demeanor.
Let's look at the major contenders for the 2008 IndyCar Series Championship (future book odds in parentheses):
Scott Dixon (7/2): Dixon, who lost the 2007 IRL title to Franchitti by 13 points when he ran out of gas on the last lap of the last race of the season, got off to a quick start with a fortuitous victory in the season opener in Miami. Dixon, the 2003 champion, has 11 career wins and finished in the top five 13 times in 2007.
Tony Kanaan (4/1): The 2004 IRL champion has won a dozen races on the open wheel circuit and appeared headed for another triumph when he was involved in an accident while leading on lap 193 of the 200-lap Gainsco Auto Insurance event, March 29.
Dan Weldon (9/2): A teammate of Dixon's from the strong Chip Ganassi stable, Dixon won both the IRL title and Indy 500 in 2005 and was second in 2006. He has 10 career victories.
Helio Castroneves (9/2): The reigning "Dancing With the Stars" champion also is pretty good on wheels, counting back-to-back Indy 500 triumphs in 2001-02 among his 12 victories.
Marco Andretti (12/1): A third generation driver with one of the sport's most famous pedigrees, Andretti slipped a bit last year after winning a race and finishing second in the 2006 Indy 500 at age 19. He joins Kanaan, Patrick and Hideki Mutoh as a member of the powerful Andretti Green team.
Justin Wilson (16/1): Formula 3000 champion Wilson finished second in the standings (to former teammate Sebastian Bourdais who left for the Formula One circuit) the past two years in the now defunct Champ Car Series.
Danica Patrick (20/1): After 49 starts, Patrick still is looking for her first victory, though not her first fan.
With the exception of the Indy 500, where propositions abound and there are dozens of ways to wager on the Memorial weekend classic, bookmakers still are in first gear when it comes to IndyCar betting, for the most part, waiting to see if gamblers embrace the series before offering a more expanded wagering menu.
It would seem then, appropriately enough, that the future health of IndyCar betting, like all motor sport betting, is up to the bettor.
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This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering Indycar betting, as well as sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
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