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IndyCar: 2018 preseason team power rankings

By Asher Fair

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: Scott Dixon of New Zealand, driver of the #9 Camping World Honda, leads the field during during the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: Scott Dixon of New Zealand, driver of the #9 Camping World Honda, leads the field during during the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Carlos Munoz, driver of the #14 ABC Supply Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Carlos Munoz, driver of the #14 ABC Supply Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

#10 through #7

Harding Racing. Chevrolet. HARDING RACING . #10. Harding Racing may find themselves struggling in their first season as a full-time team with just one driver. That driver, Gabby Chaves, had success in three races driving for the team in their first three races last season, as he finished in the top 9 twice and recorded a career-high 5th place finish at Texas. However, those great finishes were largely due to high attrition rates in those races. The speed the team showed does not lead me to believe that they will contend for great results a whole lot in 2018.

#9. Carlin Motorsport are set to make their IndyCar debut in the 2018 season with Charlie Kimball and Max Chilton, two drivers who have driven for Chip Ganassi Racing in recent years and have had success in bits and pieces while doing so. The universal aero kit introduction will allow the team to be at slightly less of a disadvantage than they would have been otherwise, but it will still be tough for them to compete for wins on a regular basis in 2018.. Carlin Motorsport. Chevrolet. CARLIN MOTORSPORT

#8. Ed Carpenter Racing will continue to operate as a two-car full-time team with one full-time driver. That full-time driver is Spencer Pigot. While he has had some solid results for the team as a part-time driver, he has never really been a contender to win races. His experience on oval tracks is also very limited. Ed Carpenter is solid but not spectacular on the oval tracks, and Jordan King is a wild card as a road and street course driver having never driven in IndyCar before.. Ed Carpenter Racing. Chevrolet. ED CARPENTER RACING

A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Chevrolet. A.J. FOYT ENTERPRISES . #7. A.J. Foyt Enterprises have struggled mightily in recent years. They are the only team among those that have competed in each of the last five seasons for which a driver hasn’t won a race since before the 2016 season. No driver for this team has won a race since the 2013 season. That said, the team made some good strides toward the end of last season, and the universal aero kit that is set to be introduced this season could play to their advantage with yet another completely new driver lineup.