2025 Indy 500 odds: Rookie Robert Shwartzman looks to complete 'miracle' run

A previously unknown rookie driver, and an unexpectedly fantastic qualifying run. 

Put those two together, and you’ve got quite a shakeup in Indianapolis 500 odds.

That’ll be the case on Sunday, with Robert Shwartzman making the leap from massive long shot to No. 4 in odds to win the Indianapolis 500.

"We do have a few interesting drivers, starting with the rookie Robert Shwartzman," Caesars Sports motorsports trader Ryan Yando said.

Also interesting: For the first time ever, the Indy 500 airs on FOX, with the green flag set to drop at 12:45 p.m. ET Sunday.

Yando and DraftKings Sportsbook’s Johnny Avello help drive us through a few interesting aspects of Indianapolis 500 odds.

Quantum Leap

Back in December, when Indy 500 odds first hit the board at Caesars Sports, Shwartzman was a complete afterthought. He opened at +75000, or in more digestible terms, 750/1.

What that meant: If you’d put a $100 bet on Shwartzman, and he went on to win Sunday’s race, then you’d collect a whopping $75,000.

Suffice it to say, that’s no longer the case.

"He pulled off the miracle in qualifying. He is now down to +750," Yando said.

Now, your $100 bet on Shwartzman would profit just $750 (total payout $850). That’s a nice little return, but a drop in the milk bucket compared to what could’ve been had a few months ago or even before qualifying on May 17 and May 18.

"The big question now is if he can he hold off the veterans Àlex Palou, Pato O’Ward and Scott Dixon," Yando said.

O’Ward and Palou are +500 co-favorites in Caesars’ Indy 500 odds. O’Ward qualified third and will start on the outside of Row 1 in the 33-car field. Palou qualified sixth and is on the outside of Row 2.

Dixon, the +650 third choice, qualified between those two in