Power Rankings: Marcus Ericsson Returns After Strong WWTR Race

Editor’s Note: Power Rankings is a feature published after every NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in which INDYCAR.com staff writer Eric Smith ranks the top 10 drivers in the series based on recent and season-long performance, statistical trends and the eye test from race weekends.

Alex Palou suffered from pit strategy issues for the third time in the last three races, dropping to a 17th-place finish in Sunday night’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline. However, a victory in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear the week before, coupled with his points lead through nine races, keeps him atop the Power Rankings.

Kyle Kirkwoodfinished sixth in his defense of last year’s World Wide Technology Raceway victory, while Josef Newgarden climbs in the rankings after winning his third consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES short oval race.

Here are the top 10 drivers entering the first off weekend since May 2-3 and ahead of the June 21 XPEL Grand Prix at Road America (2 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

↑10. Marcus Ericsson (No. 28 Delaware Life Honda, Last Rank: NR)

Ericsson led a race-high 114 of 260 laps Sunday night at World Wide Technology Raceway and finished second after starting 12th. He also finished eighth in Detroit and enters the off weekend ninth in points, 146 behind Palou. Ericsson was 12th in the points standings the previous four races. This marks the third time he has appeared in the rankings this season, most recently at No. 7 following the March 29 Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix Powered by AmFirst.

↓9. Marcus Armstrong (No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda, Last Rank: 8)

Armstrong finished ninth at World Wide Technology Raceway, his eighth top-11 finish in nine races this season. The New Zealand native has been ranked after seven of the last eight races. He is tied with Ericsson in points scored this season (196) but trails him in the standings because Ericsson’s best finish is second, compared to Armstrong’s season-best fifth-place finishes at Phoenix Raceway and in the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

↓8. Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda, Last Rank: 5)

Rosenqvist finished 14th at World Wide Technology Raceway, his worst result since placing 23rd in the May 9 Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Still, since earning the NTT P1 Award for the April 19 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, a race in which he finished second after leading 51 laps, winning the Indianapolis 500 on May 24 and a charge from 16th to finish sixth in the June 1 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, Rosenqvist remains in the rankings.

↓7. Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, Last Rank: 4)

O’Ward finished 11th at World Wide Technology Raceway, just his third result outside the top 10 this season. He has six top-five finishes, though none better than fourth. The popular Mexican driver has led only 19 laps this season -- nine in the Indianapolis 500 and 10 at Phoenix Raceway -- with fourth-place finishes in both races.

↑6. Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, Last Rank: 10)

McLaughlin finished fifth at World Wide Technology Raceway, his third top-five result of the season and second in the last three races, joining his third-place finish in the Indianapolis 500. He also started third in Detroit and was running in that spot before contact with former Team Penske teammate Will Power on Lap 79 dropped him to a 19th-place finish. McLaughlin climbed from ninth to seventh in points during this stretch. This is his highest Power Rankings’ position since being fifth following the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15.

↓5. Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, Last Rank: 6)

Lundgaard, winner of the Sonsio Grand Prix, enters the off weekend fourth in points, 96 behind Palou. He has three top-10 finishes in the last four races and six top 10s overall this season. His only finishes outside the top 10 over the last seven races are 20th at Long Beach and 17th in the Indianapolis 500. This marks his seventh consecutive appearance in the rankings and sixth straight inside the top six.

↑4. Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, Last Rank: 9)

Newgarden earned his sixth victory at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday night and vaults five spots to fourth in the rankings. He also moved to sixth in points, trailing Palou by 104. Newgarden has three top-10 finishes in the last four races and is the only driver besides Palou with multiple victories this season. He won the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 at Phoenix Raceway and reaches his highest ranking since being No. 1 following that victory.

↔3. David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Last Rank: 3)

Malukas has seven top-seven finishes in his last eight starts, including a seventh-place result at World Wide Technology Raceway. The lone exception was an 18th-place finish in Detroit. He also has two runner-up finishes in the last four races, coming in the Sonsio Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.

↔2. Kyle Kirkwood (No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda, Last Rank: 2)

Kirkwood finished sixth Sunday night for his seventh top-six finish of the season. The only drawback is that he has led just five laps over the last six races, all coming in Detroit, where he finished second. He led 47 laps in another runner-up finish at Phoenix Raceway and 16 laps in his lone victory of the season at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.

↔1. Alex Palou (No. 10 HRC Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Last Rank: 1)

Palou has earned four consecutive NTT P1 Awards but has only one victory to show for it. Still, he has led 199 laps during that stretch and posted finishes of fifth, seventh, first and 17th, respectively. Palou leads the series with four victories through nine races and enters Road America as the defending race winner.