Using INDYCAR’s advanced statistics and data, we’ve developed a weighted formula to rate the NTT IndyCar Series drivers after each race this season. Welcome to the Power Rankings – and it doesn’t necessarily mean that Will Power will always be included.
How does it work? We look at more than just the results of the event, also factoring in qualifying results, on-track passes, on-track position passes and average running position throughout the race to come up with each driver’s rating.
The rankings are based on the four most recent races (Circuit of The Americas, Barber Motorsports Park, Long Beach and INDYCAR Grand Prix). The most recent race is weighted the most in the rating and the oldest race the least.
So, entering the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, here’s a look at the top NTT IndyCar Series drivers (Note: these rankings do not reflect Indy 500 qualifying):
WHO’S NO. 1
Scott Dixon – Five drivers have won races this season, but Scott Dixon isn’t one of them. But four podium finishes in five starts – including his third runner-up finish of the year in the INDYCAR Grand Prix on May 11 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – has Dixon atop the Power Rankings for the first time this season. The five-time champion will hope to keep his strong start going on Sunday.
ON THE RISE
Simon Pagenaud – The Team Penske driver says he’s always been here and is still a champion driver. And now his actions are backing up his words. His drive in the final stages of the INDYCAR Grand Prix ended a nearly two-year winless drought and he’ll start this weekend’s Indy 500 from pole position. Welcome back, Simon.
STILL LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
James Hinchcliffe – Hinch isn’t really struggling, but two finishes outside the top 15 have dropped him out of the ratings. And this was before his crash in qualifying forced him to participate in the Last Row Shootout on Indy 500 bump day. But he’ll be racing on Sunday, as opposed to last year.
THE TOP 10 (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. Dixon (3) – See above
2. Newgarden (2) – Newgarden has never finished in the top 10 in the INDYCAR Grand Prix, but he still remains a favorite in every race he’s in.
3. Alexander Rossi (1) – Rossi’s INDYCAR Grand Prix was basically over before it started after his car was hit by Patricio O’Ward on the opening lap.
4. Pagenaud (9) – See above
5. Takuma Sato (4) – The INDYCAR Grand Prix wasn’t Sato’s best race, but his solid start to the season continues.
6. Graham Rahal (8) – A second straight top-10 finish combined with some tough days by his closest rivals help Rahal rise in the rankings.
7. Ryan Hunter-Reay (5) – The Andretti Autosport cars had a tough weekend in the INDYCAR Grand Prix. Hunter-Reay was 17th.
8. Sebastien Bourdais (8) – Bourdais finished 11th for the second straight race and stays put in the ratings.
9. Felix Rosenqvist (Not ranked) – The Swedish rookie has been solid in his debut season. He returns to the ranking after scoring his first career pole.
10. Will Power (6) – Power is the driver hurt the most by the St. Petersburg season opener rotating out of the four races counted in the ratings. Despite finishing seventh in the INDYCAR Grand Prix, he falls four spots.
Dropped out: James Hinchcliffe (7)