Beyond the Flag
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IndyCar: Way-too-early 2019 Driver Power Rankings

By Asher Fair

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 27: Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 27: Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Patricio O’Ward of Mexico driver of the #8 Harding Racing Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Patricio O’Ward of Mexico driver of the #8 Harding Racing Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

#18 through #16

#18. . No. 88. Harding Steinbrenner Racing, Honda. COLTON HERTA

Colton Herta‘s IndyCar debut in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma Raceway was not particularly impressive, as he qualified in 19th place and went on to finish in 20th, but the 2018 Indy Lights runner-up should be able to improve throughout his first full season in IndyCar in 2019. Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s switch from Chevrolet to Honda engines should play to his advantage, especially since the team are set to rely on the technical expertise of Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti.

A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Chevrolet. TONY KANAAN. #17. . No. 14

Tony Kanaan had by far the worst season of his career as a full-time IndyCar driver in his first season driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, as he ended up finishing in a career-low 16th place in the championship standings after failing to record a top five finish, something that he had never previously failed to do as a full-time driver, and recording a career-low four top 10 finishes. That said, he still showed speed in several races, most notably the Indianapolis 500 before he crashed late, so it might still be a bit premature to say definitively that the 22-year veteran is “washed up”.

Harding Steinbrenner Racing, Honda. PATRICIO O'WARD. #16. . No. 8

In one word, Patricio O’Ward‘s IndyCar debut in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma Raceway was impressive. The 2018 Indy Lights champion qualified in fifth place and finished in ninth despite the fact that it took him a while to get a good grasp on tire management. With Harding Steinbrenner Racing being set to switch from Chevrolet power to Honda power in the 2019 season and set to rely on the technical expertise of Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti, O’Ward should be in the thick of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award battle throughout the entire year.