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IndyCar: Driver Power Rankings After Texas

By Asher Fair

Jun 10, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Verizon IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon (9) and Simon Pagenaud (1) during the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Verizon IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon (9) and Simon Pagenaud (1) during the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ed Jones during the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ed Jones during the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

#15 through #11

No. 28. Andretti Autosport, Honda. RYAN HUNTER-REAY. #15. [Last Race: 15th (-)] — Ryan Hunter-Reay simply does not look like the driver that he once was. Sure, he’s had great opportunities to win races this season hindered by mechanical failures, particularly at Long Beach and the Indy 500. But he’s also had numerous bad races, and he’s been involved in some accidents running in the back of the pack because of it, as we saw at Texas. Hunter-Reay desperately needs to pick up some momentum.

#14. [Last Race: 16th (+2)] — JR Hildebrand’s solid race at Texas was ruined due to his involvement in the huge eight-car wreck, but his car was repaired and he was still able to log a quality number of laps and actually bring home a 12th place finish. While he isn’t in contention for the championship in large part due to his struggles on road and street courses, he has shown great flashes of speed in all three of the oval races so far this season.. No. 21. Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet. JR HILDEBRAND

No. 27. Andretti Autosport, Honda. MARCO ANDRETTI. #13. [Last Race: 13th (-)] — Marco Andretti was one of just a handful of drivers who were not involved in any incidents at Texas. His 6th place finish was not only his best of this season, but it was the best since his 3rd place finish at Fontana nearly two years ago. While that’s nice and everything and can be a huge confidence booster for Andretti, who has been struggling mightily over the past two seasons, it happened in a race where 13 of 22 cars didn’t finish, and only six of the nine that did were able to do so on the lead lap.

No. 19. Dale Coyne Racing, Honda. ED JONES. #12. [Last Race: 11th (-1)] — Make no mistake about it; Ed Jones is a really, really fast driver on ovals, even as a rookie. To back up his 3rd place finish in his first career Indy 500, Jones made his way into the top 8 at Texas despite starting way back in 19th place. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to capitalize on the speed of his Dale Coyne Racing car since he was caught up in the massive eight-car wreck that took him and seven others out of competition.

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE. #11. [Last Race: 10th (-1)] — James Hinchcliffe fought back from being a lap down due to an early penalty he incurred as a result of a pit lane crash he caused at Texas. He fought his way into the top 5, but he was a victim of an eight-car crash that began when his front left tire came in contact with Tony Kanaan’s car. Aside of his win at Long Beach this year, Hinchcliffe has had a pretty frustrating season to say the least, especially given the great speed he has had and been unable to fully take advantage of.. No. 5. Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Honda