Beyond the Flag
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IndyCar: Driver Power Rankings After Mid-Ohio

By Asher Fair

FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 09: Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, and Alexander Rossi, driver of the #98 Andretti Autosport/Curb Honda, practice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 9, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 09: Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, and Alexander Rossi, driver of the #98 Andretti Autosport/Curb Honda, practice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 9, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – JUNE 10: Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, does a burnout following his win in the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – JUNE 10: Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, does a burnout following his win in the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

#8 through #5

#8. [Last Race: 6th (-2)] — Alexander Rossi has had great speed all season long, and that has finally started to translate to great finishes, as evidenced by finishes of 2nd place and 6th place at Toronto and Mid-Ohio, respectively. Ignore the fact that he dropped in these rankings; other drivers around him simply finished better than he did at Mid-Ohio. Rossi is a star on a rise who looks like he has yet to peak.. No. 98. Andretti Herta Autosport, Honda. ALEXANDER ROSSI

#7. [Last Race: 8th (+1)] — Takuma Sato got back on the right track with his 5th place finish at Mid-Ohio. It was the first time he has actually finished a race inside the top 15 since he finished in 4th place at Belle Isle just one week after winning the Indianapolis 500. Winning the championship seems to be out of his reach, so he needs a strong finish to this season as he looks toward the future.. No. 26. Andretti Autosport, Honda. TAKUMA SATO

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda. GRAHAM RAHAL. #6. [Last Race: 5th (-1)] — Graham Rahal has been the hottest driver in IndyCar in the long run, as he has finished in the top 9 in seven consecutive races, including five top 5 finishes, three podium finishes and two victories. His 3rd place finish at Mid-Ohio only dropped him in these rankings since the next driver on this list finished one position higher than him there. Rahal has been more than impressive this season given the fact that he drives for just a one-car team.. No. 15

Team Penske, Chevrolet. WILL POWER. #5. [Last Race: 7th (+2)] — Will Power’s inconsistency continued yet again at Mid-Ohio. He finished in 2nd place for his seventh top 5 finish of the season, which was also his seventh top 12 finish of the season. It’s been all or nothing for him this season, so questions remain as to whether or not he can put together a nice streak of great results to secure his second career IndyCar championship.. No. 12