Beyond the Flag
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2016 IndyCar Preseason Power Rankings

By Brittany Frederick

Jan 29, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; Scott Dixon before practice for the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; Scott Dixon before practice for the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 23, 2015; Long Pond, PA, USA; Verizon IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay (center) holds the winners trophy as driver Josef Newgarden (left) holds the second place trophy and driver Juan Pablo Montoya (right) holds the third place trophy following the competition of the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Aug 23, 2015; Long Pond, PA, USA; Verizon IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay (center) holds the winners trophy as driver Josef Newgarden (left) holds the second place trophy and driver Juan Pablo Montoya (right) holds the third place trophy following the competition of the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

7. Ryan Hunter-Reay

Ryan Hunter-Reay’s sluggish season was incredibly out of character for the 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series champion. The strongest driver out of the Andretti Autosport stable, Hunter-Reay will almost certainly rebound in 2016. He’s already notched himself a podium finish with the VisitFlorida.com Racing team at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona sportscar endurance race.

In 2015, the No. 28 car came on late with wins at Iowa and Pocono, and a second place finish in the season finale at Sonoma, which also represented Hunter-Reay’s podium finishes for the year. He ultimately ended the campaign sixth in the standings. But that was less successful than his normal effort. He had three race victories and three runner-up results in 2014, and two wins and four other podiums the year before that. The numbers indicate that Hunter-Reay is in for a much better 2016.

That’s helped by the fact that three of the tracks on which he had difficulty – New Orleans (19th place finish), Fontana (16th place) and Milwaukee (13th place) – are no longer on the schedule. That should give him a nice boost this season.

He’s also on a team that’s going to be looking for someone to break through and show results. Andretti Autosport is bringing back its entire roster of Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Carlos Munoz, all of whom had rough years last year, plus collaborating with Bryan Herta Autosport to support newcomer Alexander Rossi. Andretti needs someone to step up and prove it can take the fight to Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing, and if anyone can take that motivation and run with it, it’s Hunter-Reay.

Next: 6. Helio Castroneves