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IndyCar: Five Bold Predictions for 2017

By Asher Fair

Charlie Kimball on track during the 2016 GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Photo Credit: Bret Kelley/Courtesy of IndyCar
Charlie Kimball on track during the 2016 GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Photo Credit: Bret Kelley/Courtesy of IndyCar /
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Charlie Kimball
Charlie Kimball waits on pit lane at Pocono Raceway. Photo Credit: Chris Jones/Courtesy of IndyCar /

No. 3: Charlie Kimball Will Finish As The Highest Chip Ganassi Racing Driver In Championship Standings

With four-time series champion and 2008 Indy 500 champion Scott Dixon as well as 2004 series champion and 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan in Chip Ganassi’s driver lineup, this prediction may seem very far-fetched. But in reality, it’s not.

Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan both showed signs of decline last season. Dixon finished in his lowest championship standing (6th) since 2005 (13th). Down the stretch, Kanaan also faltered. He dropped from 3rd to 7th in the championship because of it late in the season.

Charlie Kimball, meanwhile, tied for 8th place in the championship standings, his career high. It was an improvement of four positions from 2015, and an improvement of six from 2014. He did not finish any race in lower than 16th place, and he racked up a career-high 11 top 10 finishes.

Although that did not translate to any victories, Kimball showed he could be ready to break through this season. If he does continue to improve, wins will come. And with Dixon and Kanaan on the decline, Kimball could easily become Chip Ganassi’s top driver.