5 Early Predictions for the 2018 Indy 500

With the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 coming up, it's time to make some predictions for what will go down!

While this year's Indy 500 may not have the same appeal to Formula One fans as the 2017 edition ft. Fernando Alonso, it is still a spectacle to watch. The most important American Motorsports event of the year is coming up this weekend and like always we are slated for 200 laps of fast paced action.

The Indy 500 is always unpredictable and over 500 miles, anything and everything will go down. Even before the race has started we've seen 2016 pole sitter James Hinchcliffe fail to qualify for the race itself. Will we see an Indy veteran take another win? Will there be a first time winner of this historic race? Will the winner be a former F1 driver, and if so who?

We don't know, but like always that won't stop us from guessing! Read on to look at our 5 early predictions for the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500.

#1 Ed Carpenter Leads the Most Laps

Ed Carpenter taking pole at the 2018 Indy 500

With an average speed of 229.6 mph and the only driver to top 230 mph over a single lap in his qualifying run, Ed Carpenter secured a 3rd pole position in 6 years to claim his lead at the start of the 2018 Indy 500. In his own Ed Carpenter Racing team car powered by Chevrolet, he beat out Team Penske's Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Josef Newgarden who placed in 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

While the road to victory doesn't necessarily come from pole, as out of the previous 101 Indy 500 races, only 20 have been won from pole. That being said, Ed Carpenter is a consistently fast man, and with a car that seems to have the edge by virtue of that Chevrolet engine, it's very possible that he will have a good chance of staying up front.

#2 Danica Patrick Finishes Top 10

In what will be the last race of her career, Danica Patrick will start 7th on the grid in here iconic, green, GoDaddy sponsored, Ed Carpenter Racing car. The last stop on her retirement tour, it would be something if the long time American Racing icon took a victory at Indy to cap off a career.

However, this is the Indy 500, and no matter how skilled a driver is, to some extent, everyone is at the mercy of the race. Danica Patrick has a great car, and she will be motivated to end her career in the right way, for that reason, we believe that the Wisconsin native will put in a good final showing and end the race in the top 10 to say goodbye to the sport.

#3 Team Penske Dominate

While Ed Carpenter may have taken pole, the story of the first few rows of the 2018 Indy 500 says "Penske." The 4 Team Penske drivers; Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Helio Castroneves have taken spots 2, 3, 4 and 8 respectively in Indiana.

The names slated above, along with the storied history of Penske racing in Indycar give the 4 Penske drivers a very good chance of dominating the front end of the race. Andretti Autosport, AJ Foyt Enterprises, and Ed Carpenter racing all have great drivers in good positions. However, Penske have the best net team position, and great drivers, including 3 time Indy winner Helio Castroneves.

Therefore, it would not be surprising if we see the Penske name plastered over the top 10 this weekend, maybe even at the top spot?

#4 Hondageddon

Fernando Alonso after suffering an Engine failure at Indy 2017

The running joke last year at the Indy 500 was that of course, Fernando Alonso would suffer the wrath of a Honda engine failure. Just as prophesied, the Spaniard did indeed have to retire due to a malfunctioning Honda engine. Along with him, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Charlie Kimball also suffered Honda Engine failures last year.

This year, 16 cars are running Honda engines, and while Honda don't seem to have the same rate of engine problems either in Indycar or F1, the 200 lap race could put a lot of stress on the Japanese machines.

Hopefully, not too many drivers have to end their race due to bad machinery, however, if we do see problems like this, in all likelihood they will come from Honda.

#5 Sebastien Bourdais takes a Comeback Win

Sebastien Bourdais crashing at the 2017 Indy 500 Qualifying

One of the most tragic stories of last year's Indianapolis 500 was the terrifying qualifying crash suffered by Sebastian Bourdais that took him out of the race. The French driver suffered a pelvic fracture and as a result, had to sit out most of the 2017 Indycar season.

One year after a devastating crash, Bourdais starts on the 2nd row in 5th position, giving him a great chance in the race. The Frenchman has 6 wins in his Indycar career and currently sits 3rd in the Indycar drivers championship.

The last 3 Indy 500's have been won by former Formula One drivers in Juan Pablo Montoya, Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato. Could the former Toro Rosso driver make it 4 and take his first Indy win in 2018? We certainly think that he will make it 4 F1 driver wins in a row!

Who do you think will win the Indianapolis 500 this year? and Why?

Comment below

Edited by Kishan Prasad