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IndyCar: Final 2017 Driver Power Rankings: Josef Newgarden on top

By Asher Fair

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Josef Newgarden of the United States driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Chevrolet racing in the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 17, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Josef Newgarden of the United States driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Chevrolet racing in the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 17, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Sebastian Bourdais, driver of the #18 UNIFIN Honda (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Sebastian Bourdais, driver of the #18 UNIFIN Honda (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

#12 through #9

TAKUMA SATO. #12. [Last Race: 10th (-2)] — After the Indianapolis 500 and the Dual in Detroit, it was seemed almost as though Takuma Sato forgot how to drive. In the final nine races of the season, he finished higher than 13th place just once and racked up three DNF’s, including two in the last three races, a span during which he finished no higher than 19th place.. No. 26. Andretti Autosport, Honda

#11. [Last Race: 11th (-)] — Max Chilton finished up the 2017 season and his tenure at Chip Ganassi Racing with a solid but not spectacular 12th place finish at Sonoma. His second season in IndyCar was a huge improvement over his first season, as he finished in the top 9 six times as opposed to only once and he finished in 11th place in the final standings as opposed to 19th.. No. 8. Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. MAX CHILTON

#10. [Last Race: 17th (+7)] — At Sonoma, Marco Andretti actually looked good from the start to the finish of a race for the first time since the season-opener at St. Petersburg. He finished in 7th place both races. Throughout the season, he racked up five top 8 finishes. While that is not a super impressive total, it is much better than his total last season, when his only top 8 finish was an 8th place finish at the season finale at Sonoma.. No. 27. Andretti Autosport, Honda. MARCO ANDRETTI

SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS. #9. [Last Race: 9th (-)] — Sebastien Bourdais opened up the season as arguably the best driver in the series. However, a first-lap crash at Phoenix, mechanical issues at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and a nasty crash in Indianapolis 500 qualifying set him back. Following his crash at Indianapolis, he drove in just three races to close out the season. While he finished in the top 10 twice in those three races, he wasn’t nearly as impressive as he was to open up the season.. No. 18. Dale Coyne Racing, Honda