IndyCar: Driver Power Rankings After Iowa

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AVONDALE, AZ – APRIL 28: Helio Castroneves of Brazil, driver of the #3 Team Penske Chevrolet drives during practice for the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix International Raceway on April 28, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

#4 through #1

[Last Race: 2nd (-2)] — It says a lot about the competition that Simon Pagenaud and the rest of the field are facing when a 7th place finish at Iowa is the lowest on a four-car team that costs Pagenaud a spot in the championship standings and two spots in these rankings. He is trying to become the first driver to win back-to-back championship in the DW12 era. With eight top 5 finishes through 11 races this season, he has not skipped a beat from last season. However, a number of drivers have caught up to him.. No. 1. Team Penske, Chevrolet. SIMON PAGENAUD. #4

Team Penske, Chevrolet. WILL POWER. #3. [Last Race: 5th (+2)] — Will Power has been all over the place this season, with now six top 5 finishes, including four podiums and two victories, to go along with five finishes of 13th place or lower. While you might call that inconsistency, his 4th place finish at Iowa was his fourth straight top 5 finish. He has recently been combining his speed with more consistency, which could be a recipe for his second championship.. No. 12

SCOTT DIXON. #2. [Last Race: 1st (-1)] — Despite losing much of his gap over 2nd place in the championship standings due to a lackluster Iowa race, Scott Dixon still leads the standings with just one finish outside of the top 9 and seven top 5 finishes this season, including five podiums and a victory. While there are four Team Penske drivers hot on his trail in the standings, he has twice as many championship as all of them combined. He knows how to win when it matters most.. No. 9. Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda

Next: IndyCar Team Power Rankings

#1. [Last Race: 3rd (+2)] — Helio Castroneves finally “got the monkey off his back” with a win at Iowa, his first victory in over three years. He closed the gap to Scott Dixon for the lead of the championship standings as he is still hunting for his first career IndyCar championship in what could very possibly be his final full-time season in the sport. In these rankings, he not only closed the gap to Dixon, but he passed him and created a gap down to him.. No. 3. Team Penske, Chevrolet. HELIO CASTRONEVES