IndyCar Driver Power Rankings: Dixon challenges Newgarden for top spot at Watkins Glen
By Asher Fair
After the 16th of 17 races this season at Watkins Glen, how do the IndyCar driver power rankings look? Who’s up and who’s down?
The 2017 IndyCar Grand Prix and the Glen featured lots of action with plenty of close racing. The race featured four caution flag periods and included eight official lead changes among six different leaders.
Which drivers saw additions to their cases for high positions in these power rankings at Watkins Glen, and which drivers had rough days that prevented them from adding to their cases at making jumps to higher spots?
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.
#19. [Last Race: 19th (-)] — At Watkins Glen, it finally looked like JR Hildebrand would have a decent finish in a road course race, as he got to the front of the field on pit strategy. However, he only ended up finished in 15th place, so he stays at the bottom of these rankings.. No. 21. Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet. JR HILDEBRAND
Dale Coyne Racing, Honda. ED JONES. #18. [Last Race: 17th (-1)] — Ed Jones finished outside the top 12 for the sixth consecutive race with a 13th place finish at Watkins Glen. All other full-time drivers have finished in the top 12 at least one during that six-race span, so Jones drops again in these rankings.. No. 19
[Last Race: 16th (-1)] — Most of Marco Andretti’s top 10 finishes so far this season have literally come by default. At Watkins Glen, he, like JR Hildebrand, made it to the front of the field on pit strategy, but he faded back late in the race en route to just a 16th place finish.. No. 27. Andretti Autosport, Honda. MARCO ANDRETTI. #17