2016 IndyCar Preseason Power Rankings

9 of 23

May 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indy Lights driver Max Chilton prior to the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Max Chilton

Of the true rookies coming into the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2016, Max Chilton is the most promising. The former Formula 1 driver is replacing the duo of Sage Karam and Sebastian Saavedra in the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing entry, which alone will give CGR a consistent driver in that car to work with week after week. Beyond that, Chilton seems like he’s more than up to the task of a new drive.

Chilton is the exact opposite of Alexander Rossi. In his pre-season testing and media outings, he’s presented himself as someone who’s committed to IndyCar and someone who’s taking full advantage of learning from the drivers and crew members around him. He’s been posting good times in the car, and out of it he appears to have himself together. That would be encouraging if we were talking about any rookie, but when you pair that with everything that CGR can give him both on and off-track, he’s got tons of upside.

Perhaps most importantly, Chilton is also very different from Karam. It’s hard to imagine him driving as recklessly as Karam or being as polarizing as his predecessor was. Any time a driver can keep a car out of the garage, that’s better for results. And if Chilton keeps cool, that means he’ll keep focused, and that means he’s got a better chance in any given race. Yes, he may have come to CGR with better funding, but all signs point toward the No. 8 having a better result in 2016.

Next: 14. Conor Daly