2025 IndyCar Grand Prix of Monterey betting preview & free picks

The NTT IndyCar Series rolls into the picturesque hills of Monterey, California, for one of its most technical road course challenges — the 2025 Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Practice 1 kicks things off on Friday at 2pm PDT, with the main card scheduled for Sunday at 12pm.

Known for its iconic Corkscrew corner and 300 feet of elevation change, this 2.238‑mile, 11‑turn circuit has been part of IndyCar’s DNA since the 1980s and often serves as a championship decider. This year, it’s the fifth race in a relentless four‑week stretch that has reshaped the title fight.

Alex Palou enters as the betting favorite with top online sportsbooks despite a rare stumble in Toronto (12th place), but his dominance on permanent road courses is unmatched. Palou has won four of the five road races this season and arrives at Laguna Seca with a jaw‑dropping 1.75 average finish in four career starts here, including victories in 2022 and 2024.

Pato O’Ward, fresh off victories at Iowa and Toronto, is the only realistic challenger. The Arrow McLaren driver has cut Palou’s lead to under 100 points and will need another podium — or better — to keep his hopes alive heading into Portland.

Further back, Colton Herta looks poised for a home‑track breakout. The California native has two career wins at Laguna Seca and enters with renewed form after a pole and fourth-place finish in Toronto. Scott Dixon continues to lurk as IndyCar’s evergreen threat, riding a six‑race top‑10 streak, while Kyle Kirkwood and Rinus VeeKay have emerged as wildcards capable of spoiling the favorites’ party.

Expect strategy chaos as fuel windows tighten, pit stops multiply, and drivers manage energy deployment over 95 laps (212 miles).

2025 Laguna Seca IndyCar betting odds

• Alex Palou – +180
• Kyle Kirkwood – +450
• Pato O’Ward – +600
• Josef Newgarden – +700
• Colton Herta – +800
• Scott Dixon – +1000
• Scott McLaughlin – +1200
• Christian Lundgaard – +1600
• Will Power – +1600
• Felix Rosenqvist – +2000
• Alexander Rossi – +2200
• Marcus Ericsson – +3000
• David Malukas – +3300
• Marcus Armstrong – +3500
• Louis Foster – +5000
• Graham Rahal – +8000
• Santino Ferrucci – +8000
• Kyffin Simpson – +9000
• Rinus Veekay – +10000
• Nolan Siegel – +10000
• Callum Ilott – +12500
• Robert Shwartzman – +15000
• Christian Rasmussen – +15000
• Conor Daly – +20000
• Devlin Defrancesco – +20000
• Jacob Abel – +40000
• Sting Ray Robb – +40000

More odds available at

2025 Grand Prix of Monterey predictions

Alex Palou to win

Laguna Seca has become Palou’s playground. He’s never finished worse than third here, while he crushed the field by 30 seconds in 2022 — one of the most dominant wins in modern IndyCar. Ganassi’s No.10 Honda remains the benchmark on natural road courses, and with hybrid deployment adding another layer of strategy, Palou’s smooth driving style could be decisive.

Pato O’Ward podium finish

O’Ward is on a tear — two wins in the last three races — and remains the only driver with a mathematical shot to topple Palou. While Laguna Seca is yet to finish better than fifth at this track, Arrow McLaren’s pace has improved dramatically this summer. Momentum, combined with aggressive hybrid usage, should keep O’Ward in the top three.

Colton Herta top-six finish

Few drivers love Laguna Seca like Herta. The Gainbridge Andretti Global star has two wins and two poles here and thrives in front of a home‑state crowd. After a strong run in Toronto, Herta brings confidence and track knowledge — a perfect combo for a top‑six bet at plus money.

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