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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 17: Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

#4 through #1

SIMON PAGENAUD. #4. Simon Pagenaud’s win at Sonoma to close out the 2017 season nearly delivered him his second career championship and second consecutive championship. While only winning two races following a five-win 2016 season was a disappointment for him, he finished every one of the season’s 2,331 laps and led all drivers with 12 top 5 finishes in 17 races. Expect him to be back in championship contention once again in 2018.. No. 22. Team Penske, Chevrolet

#3. Scott Dixon nearly won last year’s championship despite the fact that he won just one race throughout the season after winning multiple races in 11 straight seasons coming into 2017. The new universal aero kit should play to his advantage as he tries to win his fifth career championship to move into 2nd place on the all-time IndyCar titles list. If there is one driver who can never be counted out, Dixon is that driver.. No. 9. Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda. SCOTT DIXON

Andretti Autosport, Honda. ALEXANDER ROSSI. #2. Alexander Rossi entered the 2017 season finale at Sonoma barely in contention to win his first career IndyCar championship in just his second season in the sport. With the introduction of the new universal aero kit, he should be able to establish himself as a championship contender early on in the 2018 season, and he should find himself well within striking distance to potentially win it come this year’s season finale given his success on all types of tracks.. No. 27

#1. Josef Newgarden entered his first season with Team Penske last year having won three races in five career seasons in the sport. He proceeded to more than double his career win total by winning four races in the 2017 season en route to securing his first career IndyCar championship. He is set to open up the 2018 season as the favorite to win the championship again, as he looks poised to win several races again as well.. No. 1. Team Penske, Chevrolet. JOSEF NEWGARDEN