28-02-2025
IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg odds, predictions for opening race of 2025 schedule
IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg odds, predictions for opening race of 2025 schedule
Show Caption
Hide Caption
IndyCar drivers share their 'GOAT' driver ahead of the 2024 Indy 500
IndyCar drivers share who their favorite driver of all time is ahead of the 2024 Indy 500.
Sports Seriously
Last season, Josef Newgarden became the first back-to-back winner of the Indianapolis 500 since Helio Castroneves in 2001-02, but his IndyCar campaign began with a blemish that he can officially move past this weekend.
Newgarden is considered the favorite to win the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Florida, which will open the 2025 season of the NTT IndyCar Series on Sunday, and there's an odd quirk attached to that distinction.
Newgarden crossed the finish line first and thought he had won the 2024 edition of this 1.8-mile street race for several weeks. But the Nashville, Tennessee native was stripped of the victory when an IndyCar review determined that Newgarden's Team Penske 'manipulated the overtake system' to let its drivers illegally use the push-to-pass system on starts and restarts. Mexican driver Pato O'Ward is instead considered the defending champion this week.
TEAM PENSKE: Drivers need to 'minimize bad days' in pursuit of IndyCar title
Newgarden, 34, will get his chance at redemption on a course that will again feature The Dali Museum and Duke Energy Center for the Arts as backdrops, and extend onto the Albert Whitted Airport runway. It's the first event as part of IndyCar's new multi-year broadcasting agreement with FOX that will allow all 17 of its races to be televised live in the United States for the first time. This is also the first time an IndyCar race will be held in St. Petersburg since hybrid power units were introduced midway through last season.
Here's a look at the updated odds ahead of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, as well as predictions for the first race on the 2025 IndyCar schedule:
INDYCAR: Five rules changes fans should know for 2025 season
Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 2025 predictions
Indianapolis Star: McLaughlin conquers St. Pete again
Nathan Brown writes, "Scott McLaughlin won this race in 2022, crashed late while battling for the lead in '23 and finished runner-up on-track in '24 before being disqualified in the push-to-pass saga. After finishing 3rd in the championship the last two years, the Team Penske driver makes his presence felt early."
Action Network: Bet on Christian Lundgaard
"Arrow McLaren made an offseason move to pick up the talented Christian Lundgaard, who already has a win to his name with the mid-tier Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team at Toronto, another street course. McLaren is a team capable of putting together a championship effort."
Kyle Kirkwood or Will Power
Of the favorites, Kirkwood looks like the best choice. He's a proven winner on street courses and could establish himself as a contender in his third season this week. For a better payout, it's hard to argue with Power. He's won there before and is still a strong driver at street courses overall."
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 2025 odds to win
Josef Newgarden of Team Penske is considered the betting favorite heading into the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, American Colton Herta, Mexican driver Pato O'Ward and two-time defending IndyCar series winner Alex Palou are considered his top challengers based on BetMGM odds.
Odds as of Thursday, Feb. 27, courtesy BetMGM
Josef Newgarden (+400)
Scott McLaughlin (+550)
Colton Herta (+600)
Pato O'Ward (+625)
Alex Palou (+800)
Will Power (+900)
Christian Lundgaard (+900)
Kyle Kirkwood (+1300)
Scott Dixon (+1400)
Alexander Rossi (+2000)
Marcus Ericsson (+2200)
Felix Rosenqvist (+2200)
David Malukas (+2500)
Rinus Veekay (+5000)
Marcus Armstrong (+5000)
Conor Daly (+6000)
Graham Rahal (+6000)
Callum Ilott (+8000)
Santino Ferrucci (+8000)
Nolan Siegel (+10,000)
Louis Foster (+10,000)
Devlin Defrancesco (+10,000)
Robert Schwartzman (+15,000)
Christian Rasmussen (+15,000)
Jacob Abel (+20,000)
Kyffin Simpson (+20,000)
Sting Ray Robb (+20,000)
How to watch, stream 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
FOX's broadcast from the 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburgh is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 2. The green flag for the main IndyCar race slated to drop at approximately 12:29 p.m. ET.
Date: Sunday, March 2
Sunday, March 2 Time: 12 p.m. ET (Race start scheduled for 12:29 p.m.)
12 p.m. ET (Race start scheduled for 12:29 p.m.) TV: FOX
FOX Stream: Fubo, Fox Sports app
Fubo, Fox Sports app Where: St. Petersburg, Florida
Watch the 2025 IndyCar season with Fubo
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
