Our Predictions for the Biggest Day in Racing

By Motorsports Tribune staff

Tomorrow, May 28th is arguably the biggest day of the racing calendar. Three of the biggest series around the World have marquee events, two of which date back to the earliest days of motor racing.

The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest race in the world and will celebrate its’ 101st running. The Monaco Grand Prix is the oldest and most prestigious race on the Formula 1 calendar. The Coca-Cola 600 is NASCAR’s longest, most grueling race, and over the years has tempted several drivers to attempt “the double” of competing for victory at Indianapolis in the morning, then flying to Charlotte for the 600. The Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix also make up two legs of racing’s famous ‘Triple Crown,’ which Fernando Alonso has made his new goal. He has already won Monaco twice. He will need to win Indy and emulate the late Graham Hill by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in order to become just the second driver to claim the Triple Crown.

Will Alonso win tomorrow, or will pole sitter Scott Dixon claim his second victory at the brickyard? Can Kimi Raikkonen convert his first pole position in nine years to a win tomorrow on the streets of the tiny principality? Can Kevin Harvick lead from the front to win the Coke 600, or will Ryan Blaney continue his dream weekend? Our staff gives their picks for the winner of each race with a brief explanation on who we may see write the next chapter in racing history.

Adam Tate, Associate Editor

Monaco GP: Kimi Raikkonen

Kimi has been on another level the last couple days. Monaco is his for the taking.

Indy 500: Ryan Hunter-Reay

RHR has been one of the best at Indy since his win in 2014. Last year’s pit row incident was unfortunate, but he will be back to his best and looks the strongest Andretti car over a race distance.

Coke 600: Ryan Blaney

Blaney is dialed in, after the Xfinity win, he will follow it up with the big prize.

Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief

Monaco GP: Kimi Raikkonen

Indy 500: Marco Andretti

Coke 600: Ryan Blaney

Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer

Monaco GP: Kimi Raikkonen

Indy 500: Alexander Rossi

Coke 600: Kyle Busch

David Morgan, NASCAR Editor

Monaco GP: Sebastian Vettel

Starting on the front row with his Ferrari teammate, it will be hard to bet against either of those two cars, but I’ll give the nod to Vettel as a result of his past experience at Monaco and performance thus far in the 2017 season.

Indy 500: Scott Dixon

Though a driver has not won the Indy 500 from the pole since 2009, Scott Dixon could be the one to pull it off if the speed he showed on qualifying day parlays into an equally fast Honda on race day.

Coca-Cola 600: Ryan Blaney

Blaney has been lights out quick all weekend long, finishing all three practice sessions in the top-10. Given that he won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte as well, the momentum from that win should help propel him to his first Cup Series win and the weekend sweep.

Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

Monaco GP: Valtteri Bottas

Bottas will take the top spot with Sebastian Vettel in second.

Indy 500: Helio Castroneves

Helio will finally take his fourth win at Indy, with Marco Andretti coming second to continue the “Andretti curse” for another year.

Coke 600: Kyle Larson

Larson will work his way through the field to claim the win. Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex will follow him home.