Indianapolis 500 Driver Power Rankings

[Starting Position: 5th] — Fernando Alonso qualified 5th for his first career Indy 500, which is actually his first career IndyCar race. While a few weeks ago he had never driven an IndyCar before, he learned and found speed very quickly at Indy with the team that has won two of the past three Indy 500 races. The two-time Formula One champion should not be taken lightly, as he shown that he truly can drive any race car.. No. 29. Andretti Autosport, Honda. FERNANDO ALONSO. #5

#4. [Starting Position: 3rd] — Alexander Rossi won the Indy 500 in his first attempt a season ago. While many will be quick to say that his victory came as a result of strategy, he did have the speed all day long but had a few setbacks that forced him to the back of the pack around the middle of the race. With his front row starting position this season, Rossi has shown his doubters that he is, in fact, very fast at Indy. As a driver who doesn’t know what it’s like to finish anywhere other than 1st place here, consider Rossi a true contender for the win.. No. 98. Andretti Herta Autosport, Honda. ALEXANDER ROSSI

Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. TONY KANAAN. #3. [Starting Position: 7th] — Tony Kanaan is as good of a driver at the Indy 500 as you can find. It’s amazing that in 15 attempts, he has only won the race once. With his prowess at this track, particularly on late-race restarts, it’s hard to see some of the more inexperienced drivers standing a chance against him if the race comes down to a shootout, one in which he is involved, like it has for much of the DW12 era.. No. 10

#2. [Starting Position: 10th] — Ryan Hunter-Reay is driving for the Indy 500’s top team as of late, and he won the race from much deeper than the 10th starting position when he won from 19th in 2014. He led the most laps last season and would have been in contention for the win late in the race if not for a crash in the pits. Expect Hunter-Reay to assert himself as a contender early and stay at the front until the end.. No. 28. Andretti Autosport, Honda. RYAN HUNTER-REAY

[Starting Position: 1st] — While a polesitter has not won an Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves won it in 2009, Scott Dixon comes into this race on a roll. Not only will he start on pole with the fastest four-lap qualifying average since 1996; he has yet to finish lower than 5th place this season through five races. His lone Indy 500 victory in 2008 came after he started on pole as well, so he has earned the right to be considered the favorite for this year’s race.. No. 9. Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. SCOTT DIXON. #1