Using INDYCAR’s advanced statistics and data, we’ve developed a weighted formula to rate the NTT IndyCar Series drivers after each race this season. Welcome to the Power Rankings – and it doesn’t necessarily mean that Will Power will always be included.
How does it work? We look at more than just the results of the race, also factoring in qualifying results, on-track passes, on-track position passes and average running position throughout a race to come up with each driver’s rating.
The rankings are based on the four most recent races to indicate who's currently hottest in the series. The most recent race (Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, Dual 2) is weighted the most in the rating and the oldest race among the four (INDYCAR Grand Prix) the least.
So, following the Detroit doubleheader weekend and heading straight into the DXC Technology 600 at Texas Motor Speedway, here’s a look at the top NTT IndyCar Series drivers:
WHO’S NO. 1?
Alexander Rossi – How to top the Power Rankings? Finish in the top five with consistency. That’s what Rossi did at Detroit. The Andretti Autosport driver finished second in Race 1 and fifth in Race 2. Qualifying first and second for the races didn’t hurt, either.
ON THE RISE
Will Power – After the INDYCAR Grand Prix, Power was on the verge of falling out of the rankings that sort of bear his name. Now he’s third, but only because he’s been the most consistent driver not named Rossi or Josef Newgarden.
LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
Matheus Leist – Finishing fourth in the INDYCAR Grand Prix seems like so long ago for the AJ Foyt Racing driver. The sophomore slump is real for the Brazilian, who finished a painful 21st and 20th in Detroit’s doubleheader.
THE TOP 10 (previous ranking in parentheses)
1. Alexander Rossi (3) – See above
2. Josef Newgarden (2) – Newgarden has led the points after seven of the eight races in 2019. He owned up to his mistake in Dual 2 that led to the crash that keeps him for being No. 1 in the rankings.
3. Will Power (6) – See above
4. Simon Pagenaud (1) – Pagenaud falls three spots this week, but only because his car was damaged in a Lap 1 crash at Detroit’s second race.
5. Scott Dixon (4) – Sunday’s race winner falls a bit after crashing out in last place on Saturday.
6. Takuma Sato (5) – Third on Saturday and running up front on Sunday before a late tire puncture dropped him down the order.
7. Ryan Hunter-Reay (7) – The more that we out this ranking together, the more we seem to see the same seven drivers rated at the top this season. That includes RHR.
8. Marcus Ericsson (Not ranked) – Score your first podium, earn your first appearance in the Power Rankings. Welcome, rookie.
9. Santino Ferrucci (8) – The Indy 500 Rookie of the Year led laps at Detroit and picked up his fourth top-10 finish in eight starts. The No. 19 team had one top-10 in all of 2018.
10. Graham Rahal (Not ranked) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan has two drivers in the ratings after Rahal charged from the back on Sunday following gearbox issues in qualifying.
Dropped out: James Hinchcliffe (9) and Spencer Pigot (10).