IndyCar: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024

IndyCar power rankings: No. 9 through No. 7

9. Marcus Ericsson

I also don’t think Marcus Ericsson’s move from Chip Ganassi Racing to Andretti Autosport makes him a championship contender either, given his relative drop-off over the second half of each of the last two seasons, two seasons in which he spent time leading the points early on.

But he has been one of the most consistent drivers on the grid since becoming a race winner in 2021, and he can provide Andretti Autosport with a sense of stability that they have been lacking.

8. Christian Lundgaard

I like Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard as a dark horse to win the road and street course championship in 2024, given that he hovered between third and fifth throughout the second half of the 2023 season following his first career win at Toronto.

What it don’t like is his team’s upside in the oval races, where they have consistently been nowhere near contending pace. Perhaps that can change in 2024, but I need to see it to believe it.

7. David Malukas

The first somewhat bold pick in these rankings lands at No. 7. David Malukas is set to join Arrow McLaren after spending the first two seasons of his career at Dale Coyne Racing, and he looks primed for immediate success. The major question will be whether or not Arrow McLaren can get up to speed after a surprisingly winless 2023 season.

While Malukas spent two seasons with Dale Coyne’s team as opposed to just one before his big move, it is worth mentioning that both he and Alex Palou finished in 16th place in the standings as rookies — and with three top 10 finishes, one podium finish, and an average finish of roughly 14th. Palou won the championship in his first season elsewhere.