2016 IndyCar Preseason Power Rankings

6. Helio Castroneves

Helio Castroneves was like the “Where’s Waldo” of IndyCar drivers in the best way. In almost every race, you wouldn’t see him for a bit and then you’d look again and he would be maneuvering himself toward the front of the field.  Castroneves earned nine Top 10 finishes in 2015, including back to back second place finishes in New Orleans and Long Beach, and another two consecutive third place results at Texas and Toronto. Whether it was a road course or an oval, the friendly Brazilian found a way to at least try for the win.

Castroneves has finished in the Top 5 in the league championship standings each of the last four seasons. Along the way, he’s racked up four race victories and only finished outside the Top 20 twice.  He also happens to be a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner (in 2001, 2002 and 2009) and started more than 230 races, all of them for Team Penske. He may not have the obvious upside like the drivers ahead of him on this list but he’s a safe bet to post results in the majority of races, and hasn’t declined at all over the course of his career.

If there’s one huge concern for Castroneves, it’s that he happens to be on the most loaded roster in IndyCar. As was pointed out during the 2015 campaign, Team Penske struggled having to spread its attention over three different championship eligible cars at the same time, allowing Chip Ganassi Racing to sneak by. With Juan Pablo Montoya and Will Power almost guaranteed to be in the hunt, will Castroneves find himself the odd man out?

Next: 5. James Hinchcliffe