The 2017 IndyCar season is officially in the books. Here are way-too-early driver power rankings for the 2018 season, which is set to start next March.
With the 17-race 2017 IndyCar season having come to a close in September, this means that even though we have until March before the 2018 season starts, it is time to start looking forward at next year.
As far as drivers go, there were seven eligible to win the championship heading into the season finale at Sonoma. The 17 races throughout the season were won by 10 different drivers, with seven drivers winning the first seven races for the first time since 2000.
Josef Newgarden (4 wins), Will Power (3 wins), Graham Rahal (2 wins) and Simon Pagenaud (2 wins) were the only drivers with more than one win in 2017. Of those four drivers, only Rahal drives a Honda car, with Newgarden, Power and Pagenaud all driving Team Penske Chevrolet cars.
With the aero kit era having coming to an end after three years when the 2017 season ended, Chevrolet drivers, particularly Team Penske drivers, may lose their advantage over Honda drivers next season since they were able to derive said advantage from the aero kits over the past few years, especially on the road courses, street courses and short ovals. How will this affect the complexion of the 2018 championship?
Here are way-too-early driver power rankings in preparation for the 2018 IndyCar season.
NOTE: Some drivers that may end up as full-time drivers next season may not be included in these rankings. Also, some car numbers may not be accurate.