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IndyCar Driver Power Rankings: Dixon challenges Newgarden for top spot at Watkins Glen

By Asher Fair

FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 09: Scott Dixon, driver of the #9 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, practices for the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 9, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 09: Scott Dixon, driver of the #9 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, practices for the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 9, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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AVONDALE, AZ – APRIL 28: Graham Rahal, driver of the #15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, AZ – APRIL 28: Graham Rahal, driver of the #15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

#8 through #5

#8. [Last Race: 12th (+4)] — Of the last six races, Ryan Hunter-Reay has finished five of them. Of those five, he has done so in the top 8 all five times, including two podium finishes. His 3rd place finish at Watkins Glen was one of those podium finishes, giving him three top 3 results so far this season along with five more top 10 efforts.. No. 28. Andretti Autosport, Honda. RYAN HUNTER-REAY

Team Penske, Chevrolet. SIMON PAGENAUD. #7. [Last Race: 3rd (-4)] — Simon Pagenaud has been one of the most consistent drivers in IndyCar this season in both good and bad ways. From the good side, he has finished outside the top 5 in just four races so far this season, including his 9th place finish at Watkins Glen. From the bad side, he has failed to be Team Penske’s top finisher for 12 races in a row now.. No. 1

WILL POWER. #6. [Last Race: 6th (-)] — It took until the 16th race of the season at Watkins Glen, but for the first time this season, Will Power finally finished a race in the top 12 while NOT finishing in the top 5. He did so with a 6th place finish. Up until Watkins Glen, he had eight top 5 finishes and seven finishes of 13th place or lower. Now, he has one for the “6th through 12th” category.. No. 12. Team Penske, Chevrolet

#5. [Last Race: 7th (+2)] — Graham Rahal’s extremely solid 2017 season continued with a 5th place finish at Watkins Glen. Since he stepped it up with a 6th place finish in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, he has finished in the top 9 in 10 of the last 12 races, including nine of the last 10.. No. 15. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda. GRAHAM RAHAL