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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: James Hinchcliffe, driver of the #5 Arrow Honda (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: James Hinchcliffe, driver of the #5 Arrow Honda (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

#12 through #9

#12. Marco Andretti has not won a race since the 2011 season, and he is coming off of the worst two-year span in his IndyCar career after following up his 16th place finish in the championship standings in 2016 with a 12th place finish in 2017. He did pick up some momentum down the stretch last year with a 4th place finish at Toronto, so if he can return to being consistent like he has been in a majority of his seasons in the sport, he may have a bounce-back year.. No. 98. Andretti Herta Autosport, Honda. MARCO ANDRETTI

#11. Even aside of his Indianapolis 500 victory last season, Takuma Sato had a career-best season in his lone season driving for Andretti Autosport. Despite struggling down the stretch, he finished in a career-high 8th place finish in the championship standings, and he recorded four straight top 10 finishes for the first time in his eight-year IndyCar career. Now he is set to drive for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and it looks like he could continue to have success.. No. 30. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda. TAKUMA SATO

#10. After a hot start to his rookie season driving for Dale Coyne Racing last year that included a career-high 3rd place finish in the Indianapolis 500, Ed Jones cooled down. In fact, with no top 12 finishes in the final seven races of the season, he was the only full-time driving without a top 9 finish in that span. However, his unexpected move to Chip Ganassi Racing this offseason sets him up to have a ton of success in 2018, especially given the team’s history as a two-car full-time team.. No. 10. Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. ED JONES

#9. James Hinchcliffe opened up the 2017 season looking like a championship contender. However, after the first three races, of which one he won, he struggled for the most part. He did not finish at all and/or finished in 20th place or lower in seven of the final 12 races of the season and only managed to finish in 13th in the championship standings despite having such a promising start. However, he had solid speed throughout the season, so expect him to bounce back in 2018.. No. 5. Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Honda. JAMES HINCHCLIFFE