INDYCAR Energy Rankings: There is a new No. 1 and his identify is Kyle

Alex Palou nonetheless has a dominating lead within the INDYCAR level standings, however with Kyle Kirkwood capturing the final two races, there’s a brand new driver on prime of this energy rankings checklist.

Kirkwood earned his first profession oval victory Sunday at World Broad Expertise Raceway (generally generally known as Gateway). That adopted his win on the streets of Detroit.

With three wins this yr, Kirkwood has proven the expansion wanted to be a significant factor within the sequence. If not for a penalty at Indianapolis, he’d be simply 51 factors (as a substitute of 75) behind Palou.

Listed below are this week’s energy rankings heading into back-to-back races on everlasting highway programs at Highway America and Mid-Ohio. 

Dropped out: Josef Newgarden (Final Week: 9)

On the verge: David Malukas, Josef Newgarden, Felix Rosenqvist 

10. Scott McLaughlin (LW: 7)

McLaughlin’s day ended 44 laps earlier than the end when he broke one thing within the left rear. The Workforce Penske driver had began second on the grid. He continues to have pace. He led 51 laps Sunday night time. However he isn’t having the finishes he would love.

9. Marcus Armstrong (LW: Not Ranked)

Armstrong completed ninth at Gateway, his third prime 10 within the final 4 races. For the younger Meyer Shank Racing driver, that sort of consistency is vital.

8. Colton Herta (LW: 6)

Herta couldn’t observe up his third-place run at Detroit with a stable end. He positioned seventeenth at Gateway, whereas Kirkwood — an Andretti teammate — gained the race.

7. Santino Ferrucci (LW: 10)

Ferrucci positioned fifth at Gateway for his third consecutive top-five end. The AJ Foyt Racing driver has moved as much as eleventh within the standings and could be eighth with out the penalty for a driver’s compartment weight violation in Detroit.

6. Will Energy (LW: 5) 

Energy blew a tire and hit the wall early within the race at Gateway, ending a promising occasion the place he had gained the pole — the 71st of his profession and the sequence document. The Penske driver fell to seventh within the standings. 

5. Christian Lundgaard (LW: 4)

Lundgaard completed 14th, the final driver on the lead lap at Gateway. The Arrow McLaren driver began 14th, too.

4. Scott Dixon (LW: 8)

Dixon completed fourth at Gateway, as he led 43 laps with a quick automotive and stable gasoline technique. The Ganassi driver is fifth within the sequence standings.

3. Pato O’Ward (LW: 3)

O’Ward ran among the many leaders all the race and completed second. The Arrow McLaren driver may need been a tick off the quickest vehicles however made the proper strikes to safe the runner-up end.

2. Alex Palou (LW: 1)

Palou began ninth and completed eighth on what’s arguably his worst monitor on the circuit. Plus, contemplating the factors place he’s in, he simply wanted a good end. The Ganassi driver did simply that.

1. Kyle Kirkwood (LW: 2)

Who says Kirkwood can’t win on ovals? Kirkwood gained for the primary time on an oval, displaying his versatility. The Andretti driver continues to be the largest risk to Palou for the championship.

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent many years masking motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seashore) Information-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

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