IndyCar: Two major streaks could be in serious jeopardy

Scott Dixon and Will Power are both winless in the 2023 IndyCar season. With five races left on the schedule, could they see their win streaks end?

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion, is currently riding a record streak of 18 consecutive winning seasons, having found victory lane at least once during every season since 2005.

Team Penske’s Will Power, a two-time and reigning series champion, is currently riding a streak of 16 consecutive winning seasons, having found victory lane at least one during every season since 2007, back when he competed in Champ Car.

But through 12 races on the 17-race 2023 schedule, neither driver has won a race. Could the drivers who have been among the best in the series for well over a decade see their legendary streaks come to an end by the time the checkered flag flies in Laguna Seca?

Both drivers have been winless this deep into an IndyCar season before.

Twice during Dixon’s streak, he earned his first win of the season after the 12th race. His first win of the 2005 season came in the 16th of 17 races on the schedule at Watkins Glen International, and his first win of the 2014 season came in the 15th of 18 races on the schedule at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

And twice during Power’s streak, he earned his first win of the season after the 12th race as well. His first win of the 2013 season came in the 15th of 19 races on the schedule at Sonoma Raceway, and his first win of the 2019 season came in the 14th of 17 races on the schedule at Pocono Raceway.

But since 2006, IndyCar has never been 12 races deep into a season without having seen Dixon or Power win a race.

Dixon currently sits in third place in the championship standings with a top finish of second at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and just one finish lower than seventh, while Power sits in seventh with top finishes of second on the streets of Detroit and at Iowa Speedway.

Dixon’s win drought currently sits at 15 races, as his most recent win came on the streets of Nashville last August. Power’s currently sits at 22, as his most recent win came on the streets of Belle Isle last June.

Last July on the streets of Toronto, Dixon ended a 22-race win drought, so he has been in this position before. Power, on the other hand, hasn’t experienced a win drought that has lasted this long since going 25 races without a win from 2012 to 2013.

Can either driver end his win drought in this Sunday afternoon’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at the Nashville Street Circuit? Dixon’s finishes in the first two Nashville races are second and first place, while Power’s are 14th and 11th, respectively.

FanDuel Sportsbook, which is now offering fans an instant $100 for placing a single $5 bet, lists Dixon as the fourth favorite to win Sunday’s race at +800. Power is listed as the eighth favorite at +1400.

Odds and availability are subject to change, so lock in your $100 now!

The race is set to be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now if you haven’t already done so and don’t miss it!