IndyStar staff predictions for the Indy 500

It pains IndyStar to say it, but assistant sports editor Matt Glenesk is the reigning Indianapolis 500 predictions champ. Our staff didn't distinguish itself last season — no one had winner Alexander Rossi in their top three. Three members of the staff had Carlos Munoz or Josef Newgarden on the podium. But only Matt had both of them. He will not let us forget it.

JIM AYELLO

1. Scott Dixon: Twenty pole sitters have gone on to win the Indianapolis 500. With the way Dixon is driving this year (five top-five finishes), don't be surprised if the 2008 champion makes it 21 at 101.

2. Ryan Hunter-Reay: He is the contender no one seems to be talking about, but he has the right team (Andretti Autosport) and the experience (2014 champion) to get it done Sunday. 

3. JR Hildebrand: Both Ed Carpenter Racing drivers will be threats on race day, but I'm going with Hildebrand, who has a strong history at Indy (four top-10 finishes) and a car that can win.

GREGG DOYEL

1. Fernando Alonso: He’s auto racing’s Roy Hobbs — The Natural.

2. Josef Newgarden: Someday he’ll win one of these. And then another.

3. Ed Carpenter: Not a sentimental pick at all; he’s having a hell of a month at IMS.

BRODY MILLER

1. Scott Dixon: There just seems to be something going on with this guy right now. He's in a different zone. He's been top five in every race this year with no wins. He's finished second in Indy too many times. He has the pole. I think he takes it.

2. Graham Rahal: Rahal has a bit of a history of starting further back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and working his way up. Starting in the fifth row almost seems like an improvement for him. Maybe this is when Rahal will work his way to first.

3. Ed Jones: Almost every day, rookie Ed Jones has had one of the faster cars in Indy 500 practice, and his qualification performance was impressive. Sure, practice and qualifying are different animals than race day, but Jones has been steady all season. If you want to take a flier on somebody, Jones is my pick.

MATT KRYGER

1. Scott Dixon: Dixon's history and consistency on this oval will be too much.

2. Fernando Alonso: It's a close race, but Alonso's fairy tale May will come up just short of a happy ending.

3. Takuma Sato: Could shock everyone and pull off a surprise win.

CLARK WADE

1. Alexander Rossi: Rossi is hungry and will prove last year was not a fluke.

2. Ryan Hunter-Reay: Fourth-fastest car starting inside the fourth row.

3. Josef Newgarden: He'll need a few yellows to help move him to the front, but he has the skills to pull it off.

ZAK KEEFER

1. Ryan Hunter-Reay: Not starting in the Top 9 won’t matter. RHR takes his second win in four years.

2. Alexander Rossi: The kid proves last year was no fluke, and hangs until the very end.

3. Tony Kanaan: Kanaan, starting seventh, is as good as anyone after cautions. TK grabs his seventh top-five finish.

CLIFF BROWN

1. Ed Jones: Rookies can do well at Indy, and he's having a strong year.

2. Fernando Alonso: He didn't come just for the attention. He came to win.

3. Ed Carpenter: He almost won the pole. He would rather win the race.

SCOTT HORNER

1. Max Chilton: The average starting position of the past five winners is 14.6, and Chilton starts 15th. And to anyone who says, “Max Chilton?!” just remember last year.

2. Scott Dixon: That being said, we’re way overdue for a pole sitter to win the race. The last to do so was Helio Castroneves in 2009.

3. JR Hildebrand: He was one turn from cruising to a win in 2011, and he usually improves on his starting position here. He starts sixth.

MATT GLENESK

1. JR Hildebrand: He’s been fast all month and has a good track record here, finishing in the top 10 in each of the past three 500s.

2. Will Power: Team Penske’s 500 setup hasn’t been overly impressive, but Power is a proven commodity.

3. Ed Jones: A dark horse candidate, the rookie has been impressive this month and won’t be intimidated.