Scott Dixon favored to win fan-packed 2021 Indianapolis 500

May 28 (UPI) -- Scott Dixon is favored to win the 2021 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. The IndyCar spectacle will be the most-attended sporting event in the world since COVID-19 halted all sports seasons in 2020.

The 105th edition of the race starts at 12:45 p.m. EDT at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will air on NBC.

Dixon, who won the pole position last week with an average four-lap speed of nearly 232 mph, finished second in the 2020 Indy 500 and holds six IndyCar Series titles.

"Winning a pole at the Indianapolis 500 is one of the toughest things to do," Dixon told reporters Friday. "From a team standpoint, just how much work and effort goes into building these cars specifically for that pole run, it's a lot of money and a lot of effort that it takes."

A year after its postponed 2020 race, the 2021 Indianapolis 500 returns to its annual spring date at the 2.5-mile track. Last year's event was scheduled for May 24, but was moved to Aug. 23, and was held without fans due to the pandemic.

The track's permanent seating capacity allows for about 250,000 people, but the facility can contain about 300,000 spectators. This year, up to 40% of the capacity -- or 135,000 fans -- will be allowed to attend. Fans are required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while on the grounds.

Dixon favored

Dixon captured the Indianapolis 500 when he won the pole in 2008. He won the pole again in 2015 and 2017, but finished fourth and 32nd, respectively.

Dixon is regarded as one of the best IndyCar drivers in history. His 51 career victories lead all active drivers and rank third all-time, behind A.J. Foyt (67) and Mario Andretti (52).

Patricio O'Ward, Josef Newgarden, Colton Herta, Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi are among the other favorites for the 200-lap race.

Herta will start second in the 33-car field. Rinus VeeKay, Ed Carpenter and Tony Kanaan round out the Top 5 starters.

Palou, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves, Marcus Ericsson and Rossi will start in the Top 10. O'Ward will be in row four and start 12th. Takuma Sato, last year's champion, is in row five and will start 15th. Newgarden will start 21st.

How to watch

What: 2021 Indianapolis 500

When: 12:45 p.m. EDT Sunday

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

TV: NBC