IndyCar: Driver Power Rankings After Pocono
By Asher Fair
After the 14th of 17 races this season, how do the Verizon IndyCar Series driver power rankings look? Who is trending upwards after the Pocono race, and who is falling?
NOTE: This list only includes full-time drivers. The “Last Race” category includes each driver’s rankings in the previous edition of the IndyCar driver power rankings.
The 2017 ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania featured non-stop action with tons of passing, including 42 official lead changes among 10 different leaders, which was nearly half of the entire field.
Which drivers saw additions to their cases for high positions in these power rankings at Pocono, and which drivers had rough days that prevented them from adding to their cases at making jumps to higher spots?
#19 through #17
#19. [Last Race: 20th (+1)] — In seven races as Sebastien Bourdais’ replacement, Esteban Gutierrez still has a top finish of just 13th place. Until he can actually get a decent result, he is pretty much stapled to the bottom of these rankings, especially since Bourdais and two of the other replacement drivers proved that the #18 car has speed.. No. 18. Dale Coyne Racing, Honda. ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ
#18. [Last Race: 19th (+1)] — Conor Daly finished in 14th place at Pocono in one of his better races this season, which illustrates the lack of speed he has had all season long. He is the only full-time driver currently lower in the championship standings than two other drivers who have missed at least one race so far this season.. No. 4. AJ Foyt Enterprises, Chevrolet. CONOR DALY
[Last Race: 18th (+1)] — Charlie Kimball is driving for one of the sport’s top teams and still failing to produce on even a decent level, leaving many questions unanswered about his future in IndyCar. He has not finished higher than 12th place in any of the last four races, and he has only done so three times this season.. No. 83. Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. CHARLIE KIMBALL. #17