2025 INDYCAR predictions: Who will win the most races, Indy 500, championship?

From St. Petersburg to Nashville, the 2025 IndyCar season promises to have exciting moments and drama. 

Just look at 2024. No driver won more than three races and any driver who won did so at least twice. Seven different drivers won over the course of the 17-race schedule.

And in addition to several driver changes from the middle of the field to the back, two organizations — Andretti and McLaren — saw a significant change in leadership.

So take this crystal ball of predictions for what it’s worth. Here are my educated guesses for how the 2025 season might unfold.

Indianapolis 500: Pato O’Ward. He’s come so, so close in past years. This has to be the season the Arrow McLaren driver does it, right? It would be cruel if he doesn’t. And it would be so cool if he does.

Kyle Larson double: Larson will attempt the Indy 500-Coke 600 double again this year and hope that a storm system doesn’t get in the way. With a year under his belt, he’ll finish fifth in the 500, and this time, he won’t just start — he’ll win the 600.

Most poles: Scott McLaughlin. McLaughlin led the series in poles last season with five and there’s no reason to think the Penske driver won’t again this year. Qualifying won’t be his issue.

Most podiums: Scott Dixon. OK, this might be a pick more from the heart than the brain, but as everyone else gets rattled and caught up in the drama on the track (and maybe off the track with IndyCar also in a state of transition), it’ll be the steady Dixon that earns the most top-three finishes.

Most wins: Alex Palou. This will be the year that the three-time champion wins on an oval. Add that to at least a couple of road-course victories, and he’ll top the winner chart.

Champion: Colton Herta. The Andretti driver will want