Sunday marks the 100th running of what has been dubbed the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. There's no question that the race lost a lot of its luster in the mid 1990s following the IRL-CART split (many racing enthusiasts still don't consider Buddy Lazier, Arie Luyendyk, Eddie Cheever or Kenny Brack legitimate Indy 500 winners), but the return of the major teams to the race in 2000 and the subsequent bankruptcy of CART (Champ Car) led many fans back to the series. That said, to this day The Indianapolis 500 takes a back seat to The Monaco GP and Coca Cola 600 which are run on the same day.

There was hope that this running would spark a renewed sense of excitement since it is the 100th running and for the most part that has occurred. All 250,000 reserved seats as well as the suites and general admission tickets have been sold which has resulted in the race not being blacked out in the Indianapolis area for the first time since 1950. All hotels within 100 miles of the track have been sold out and as a result many die hard fans are getting hotels in Chicago or Cincinnati and are flying into Indianapolis the morning of the race. Total attendance is expected to reach about 350,000 and viewership numbers are expected to skyrocket. The race has had an increased viewership for each of the last 3 years and some are expecting the highest TV ratings ever for this race.

If there is any disappointment with regards to the race it's the lack of interest by drivers in other series. In its heyday F1 stars like Mario Andretti and NASCAR stars like Cale Yarborough, Donnie and Bobby Allison and Tony Stewart have run in the Indy 500 and there was speculation drivers from other series would be lining up to run in this race. But as it turns out only Indy Car regulars and familiar Indianapolis 500 only drivers like Townsend Bell and Pippa Mann were entered. Two feel good stories surrounding this race, however, are that James Hinchcliffe, who was almost killed in practice for this race last year, won the pole position, and Stefan Wilson, the younger brother of Justin Wilson who was killed at Pocono last year when a piece of debris from a car hit him on the head, has received a ride. No doubt fans and viewers will be rooting for both.

But the question bettors have of course is where does the value lie in terms of wagering. I'll try to address that now. In the last 16 years since CART and IRL reunited, Team Penske won 6 times including three with Helio Castroneves and with Juan Montoya last year. Ganassi Racing has won 4 times including with Scott Dixon in 2008 and Juan Montoya in 2000 and Andretti Autosport won 3 times including with Ryan Hunter Reay in 2014. The only other driver racing this year that has won before is Tony Kanaan who won for KV Racing, although he is running for Ganassi this year.

One of the major factors everyone is considering this year is the engine manufacturer. Although Honda has dominated in the past in the series they have struggled mightily in the last 2 years after a mandated aero change. Chevrolet won all 5 races run this year (although only one was on an oval) and in 2015 they won 10 out of 16 races. Of the 5 oval races Chevrolet won 3.

Other factors to consider are that Simon Pagenaud enters this race with a three race winning streak, albeit all on road courses and Townsend Bell who has fared well in the race before is starting near the front, running the race for a major team for the first time.

So here are my Top 5 Picks in order of preference:

1. Helio Casteoneves (odds 7-1). Helio is always competitive in the Indy 500, has 3 wins to his credit in this race and is driving for the top notch team. He qualified 9th and although he has struggled a bit in practice I expect him to step it up on race day and be right there at the end and hopefully kissing the bricks.

2. Will Power (odds 6-1). Power barely missed winning last year and has improved dramatically on ovals in the last couple of years. He is not only versatile but is hungry to get his first Indy 500 win and qualified 6th. He has also practiced well. If he avoids trouble he should be in contention at the end.

3. Ryan Hunter Reay (odds 20-1). Hunter Reay's odds reflect the fact he is in a Honda but he has looked outstanding all week in practices and he qualified 3rd. He won in this race 2 years ago and he won the penultimate race at Pocono in 2015 which is almost identical to Indianapolis. At the odds he represents great value.

4. Scott Dixon (odds 7-1). Dixon is always competitive on ovals and has done extremely well in this race in the past although he usually finished behind his teammate Dario Franchitti who is no longer racing. Dixon won three times in 2015 including on 2 ovals, one at Texas and the last race in Fontana, California where he clinched the championship. He only qualified 13th for this race but should be able to pass and make up position easily.

5. Marco Andretti (odds 25-1). Andretti should have won this race 3 times already but like his father Michael, who never won an Indy 500, he managed to find a way to lose. He qualified 14th in his Honda powered car but it's easy to pass at Indianapolis and Andretti's odds are too hard to ignore when he's usually among the favorites. Andretti is strictly a value play but it may pay off.

Other drivers to consider at long odds for an upset or top 3 finish:
- Carlos Munoz (40-1)
- Josef Newgarden (25-1)
- Ed Carpenter (60-1)

With all fo the fanfare surrounding the 100th running of the Indy 500, this may be a race for the ages. Enjoy the race and good luck!

Read insights from Hartley Henderson every week here at OSGA and check out Hartley's RUMOR MILL!