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 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) /

#4 through #1

Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. SCOTT DIXON. #4. [Last Race: 2nd (-2)] — Scott Dixon’s “cold” streaks aren’t the average drivers’ cold streaks. Nonetheless, his has cost him a few spots in the championship standings as well as in these rankings. He has not finished higher than 8th place in any of the past three races, which won’t cut it if he wants to win his fifth career IndyCar championship. But you can never count him out, especially since his only non-top 10 finish so far this season was because of a wreck.. No. 9

#3. [Last Race: 3rd (-)] — Helio Castroneves has had a solid season like usual. He has just one finish lower than 9th place, and that was as a result of a crash. Still seeking his first career IndyCar championship, however, he is probably going to have to win at least one more race, as there are plenty of other hungry drivers out there, including three more driving for Team Penske alone.. No. 3. Team Penske, Chevrolet. HELIO CASTRONEVES

#2. [Last Race: 4th (+2)] — Defending IndyCar champion Simon Pagenaud finished in 4th place at Mid-Ohio for his sixth consecutive top 7 finish and his fifth top 5 finish over the course of the past six races. He is definitely heating up down the stretch. If he can get back to Victory Lane for the first time since Phoenix, he may be the favorite to win this year’s championship and become the first driver to win back-to-back titles in the DW12 era.. No. 1. Team Penske, Chevrolet. SIMON PAGENAUD

Next: IndyCar Team Power Rankings

#1. [Last Race: 1st (-)] — Josef Newgarden now leads all IndyCar drivers in victories so far this season and he now sits atop the championship standings as well. He is at this point as a result of winning the past two races and racking up four consecutive top 6 finishes, including three finishes of 2nd place or better. He maintains his spot, a spot that is his to lose with just four races remaining in 2017, atop these rankings because of these facts.. No. 2. Team Penske, Chevrolet. JOSEF NEWGARDEN