Beyond the Flag
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IndyCar: Top-Five Championship Contenders In 2017

By Asher Fair

Aug 27, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing Team driver Scott Dixon (9) of New Zealand and Team Penske driver Will Power (12) of Australia and Rahal Letterman Racing driver Graham Rahal (15) of United Statesi and Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (20) of United States and Chip Ganassi Racing Team driver Tony Kanaan (10) of Brazil during the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing Team driver Scott Dixon (9) of New Zealand and Team Penske driver Will Power (12) of Australia and Rahal Letterman Racing driver Graham Rahal (15) of United Statesi and Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (20) of United States and Chip Ganassi Racing Team driver Tony Kanaan (10) of Brazil during the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 3: Will Power, Team Penske

Will Power finished in 2nd place in the championship standings last season despite not doing well in either of the double points-paying races and missing the season opener. The only thing that is going to hinder his quest for another championship is his health.

But health, as we all know, is huge. Power had two really hard hits last season that resulted in concussion-like symptoms, which is why he missed the race he missed at St. Petersburg. He very well could have at least been closer to winning the 2016 championship had it not been for these hits.

Assuming he stays healthy, he is still one of the series best drivers, and he is driving for the series undisputed top team, Team Penske. The only thing that is going to prevent him from winning races and scoring podium finishes is if he decides racing is no longer worth the risk. Until then, he’s a championship contender.