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IndyCar: 2018 preseason driver 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: Tony Kanaan of Brazil driver of the #10 NTT Data Honda (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Tony Kanaan of Brazil driver of the #10 NTT Data Honda (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

#16 through #13

#16. Following a rookie season in 2016 during which he finished higher than 10th place in just one race despite the fact that he drove for Chip Ganassi Racing, one of the sport’s top teams, Max Chilton had a strong second season. He finished in 11th place in the championship standings and set a new career-high finish of 4th place in the Indianapolis 500. Now set to drive for Carlin Motorsport, a team with no IndyCar experience, he might struggle a bit.. No. 59. Carlin Motorsport, Chevrolet. MAX CHILTON

TONY KANAAN. #15. <p>Tony Kanaan had one of his worst career seasons in 2017, but he still managed to finish in 10th place in the championship standings with a season-high finish of 2nd. However, he is now set to drive for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, the team that had the least amount of speed in the 2017 season. With the introduction of the new universal aero kit, however, the team might not struggle as much as they did last year, and Kanaan’s IndyCar experience may play to his advantage.</p>. No. 14. A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Chevrolet

#14. After driving in two practice sessions last season at Road America for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports as Mikhail Aleshin’s replacement, Robert Wickens is finally set to make his IndyCar debut this season, and he is set to do so as a full-time driver for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. As a teammate to his friend James Hinchcliffe, Wickens, who has had success in several other racing series, should experience success in his rookie season as well.. No. 6. Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Honda. ROBERT WICKENS

ZACH VEACH. #13. If there is one rookie whose transition to his new role as a full-time IndyCar driver may go smoother than the transitions of others, that rookie is Zach Veach. Veach drove for Andretti Autosport in five of his six seasons in the Mazda Road to Indy dating back to the 2010 season, so he is extremely familiar with the team. Now he is set to drive full-time for the team in IndyCar, and there is no reason to believe that he will not have success.. No. 26. Andretti Autosport, Honda