Who will win the 2022 Indianapolis 500? IndyStar staff give their winner predictions

This is perhaps the most important information available on predicting the result of the Indianapolis 500.

Cross off everybody listed below. (Sorry, Jimmie Johnson.)

The winner of IndyStar's annual top 3 Indy 500 predictions contest is photographer Mykal McEldowney, despite a mediocre effort. In 2021, McEldowney selected, in order, Alex Palou (finished 2nd), Colton Herta (16th) and Tony Kanaan (10th). He edged videographer Clark Wade -- Pato O'Ward (4th), Herta and Rinus VeeKay (8th) -- though former intern Stefan Krajisnik was the only person to include the actual winner, putting Helio Castroneves third. Here are our picks:

Indy 500 week: 2022 Indy 500 betting odds reveal a four-driver race

Nathan Brown, motor sports insider

1. Scott Dixon: He's too good around this place to have only won once. As great as all give Ganassi cars have looked both in qualifying and race trim, Dixon's been a cut above these two weeks. This will be the year, no rain, no late caution and no wild bad luck will stand in his way.

2. Takuma Sato: No matter what team he’s on, when he has a good car – and he’s proven as much these ast two weeks – Sato almost always finds his way to the front. But in a repeat duel from two years ago, when Sato beat Dixon under caution, I think the latter settles the score.

3. Alex Palou: Palou learned a lot from Year 1 (when he crashed) to Year 2 (when he was runner-up) in how to stay up at the front all day. Like Dixon, he’s got a rocket ship of a car from Ganassi, but as we’ve learned so often in this race, sometimes it takes several close calls before the break through.

Gregg Doyel, columnist

1. Alex Palou: The young Spaniard’s going to win one of these – he’ll win more than that – and no time like the present.

2. Scott Dixon: He’s the best driver on the IndyCar circuit.

3. Jimmie Johnson: The NASCAR star knows his way around ovals, and his Ganassi team knows how to find speed.

Mykal McEldowney, photographer

1. Jimmie Johnson: He'll win this race, but it will be close. He’s already won here four times, albeit as a NASCAR driver. He’s had the Chip Ganassi Racing team giving him all their tips and tricks, and they’re all running fast.

2. Alex Palou: Unfortunately, Palou will finish second … again. Goodness Palou’s a fantastic driver but honestly, I root for him because he’s such a cool, calm person.

3. Scott Dixon: It would be silly to not place Dixon after his record-breaking speeds when he gained the pole position. I don’t know why but something tells me Dixon gets close but falls just short this year. Though, watching his wife, Emma Davies-Dixon, jump in and celebrate like one of his pit crew members is always fun, too. She wears her support on her sleeve.

Dana Hunsinger Benbow, writer

1. Jimmie Johnson: He’s won four races at IMS as a NASCAR legend. In his first Indy 500 with his dad as his spotter and the father-son dream of racing in May at IMS finally coming true, the emotions and adrenaline could just push Johnson to victory.

2. Pato O’Ward: He has made two impressive Indy 500 starts, finishing sixth in 2020 and fourth in 2021. Do the math and O’Ward moves up another two places in 2022, finishing second at IMS Sunday.

3. Alex Palou: He missed an Indy 500 victory by about half a second in 2021, finishing behind winner Helio Castroneves. Palou knows what it takes to succeed and almost conquer IMS.

Scott Horner, producer

1. Rinus VeeKay: He's familiar with starting near the front, and it's his time to take the checkered flag. He's in his third Indy 500 already, but the 21-year-old would be the youngest winner in race history.

2. Scott Dixon: It's not exciting to pick the pole sitter, but Dixon has had all the right answers in practice and qualifying.

3. David Malukas: Going with a rookie here, but not Jimmie Johnson or Romain Grosjean. Malukas has been consistent and steady for a 20-year-old. He narrowly missed the Fast 12 in qualifying and can move up over 200 laps.

Clark Wade, videographer

1. Sage Karam: Dreyer and Reinbold spends its entire year focusing on the Indy 500. This year it will pay off. In 2021, Sage went from 31st to 7th and was 3rd fastest out of the gate this year. Sage is patient and will make his move late in the race.

2. Alex Palou: Palou will hang in there most of the day but will have to wait another year to reach the top.

3. Takuma Sato: Sato set the tone with fast speeds earlier this month. Look for Sato to contend throughout the race.

Rob Peeters, writer

1. Jimmie Johnson: With more 500-mile races completed than anyone else in the field, Johnson has the patience and racecraft to win as a rookie.

2. Scott Dixon: The fastest polesitter in history is long overdue for his second sip of milk.

3. Ed Carpenter: Carpenter focuses on this race more than any other and with a fast car he's an easy favorite for a good finish.

Nat Newell, motor sports editor

1. Josef Newgarden: Perhaps the circuit's top driver hasn't won the Indy 500 and has been fairly quiet in the build up to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. It's his time.

2. Scott Dixon: One of IndyCar's greatest drivers appeared to be slipping just a bit at the start of the season but perhaps that was all the motivation he needed.

3. Jimmie Johnson: The 7-time NASCAR champ has been impressive in his return to ovals.

Wilson Moore, writer

1. Alex Palou: He's had a good season, good week of practice and came close last year.

2. Takuma Sato: He drove well all week leading up to qualifying and has won it twice before.

3. Rinus VeeKay: He's quietly been among the best in the field all week and it showed in qualifying.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 winners: IndyStar predicts who will win at IMS for 2022