IndyCar Power Rankings: 2014 Indianapolis 500

Welcome to the Inside Track's IndyCar Power Rankings. Each race week of the IndyCar season, Gazette contributor Scott Unash will rank the series' top 10 drivers.

Think the list should be different? Tweet him at @ScottUnash, or comment in the comments section.

New this week: James Hinchcliffe

Dropped out: Mike Conway

RANK

+/-

NAME

WINS

THOUGHTS

1

+1

Ryan Hunter-Reay

1

Ran a strong second in the Grand Prix of Indy. Had a good month of practice for the Indianapolis 500 except for the qualifying session. The 2012 champ will start deep in the pack but still my pick to win on Sunday.

Ran a strong second in the Grand Prix of Indy. Had a good month of practice for the Indianapolis 500 except for the qualifying session. The 2012 champ will start deep in the pack but still my pick to win on Sunday.

2

+1

Simon Pagenaud

1

Just keeps putting out great finishes. Won the Grand Prix of Indy and was in the Fast 9 for the pole for the 500. If he continues to pickup the oval program, look out.

Just keeps putting out great finishes. Won the Grand Prix of Indy and was in the Fast 9 for the pole for the 500. If he continues to pickup the oval program, look out.

3

-2

Will Power

1

A disappointing eighth-place finish in the Grand Prix of Indy. Good news is that Team Penske has been quick all month for the 500. Could this be the year for Indy 500 win No. 1 for Will?

A disappointing eighth-place finish in the Grand Prix of Indy. Good news is that Team Penske has been quick all month for the 500. Could this be the year for Indy 500 win No. 1 for Will?

4

--

Scott Dixon

Wasn't great in the Grand Prix of Indy -- finished 15th -- but ran pretty well…shows the enormous depth in the series. Team Ganassi has not had a great month, but made some strides last Sunday, and for some reason the Iceman has always started to kick off his year at the 500.

Wasn't great in the Grand Prix of Indy -- finished 15th -- but ran pretty well…shows the enormous depth in the series. Team Ganassi has not had a great month, but made some strides last Sunday, and for some reason the Iceman has always started to kick off his year at the 500.

5

+5

Helio Castroneves

Great third place run in the Grand Prix vaulted him back to fourth in the points. The Brickyard is a Fountain of Youth for this guy. Expect a strong run going for the record-tying fourth 500 win on Sunday. (Editor's note: Castroneves is also rocking the coolest paint scheme of the 500, with a 1984 Rick Mears throwback.)

Great third place run in the Grand Prix vaulted him back to fourth in the points. The Brickyard is a Fountain of Youth for this guy. Expect a strong run going for the record-tying fourth 500 win on Sunday. (Editor's note: Castroneves is also rocking the coolest paint scheme of the 500, with a 1984 Rick Mears throwback.)

6

--

Marco Andretti

Is this the year for Marco to finally break the 'Andretti Curse'? Has a strong car and a strong team. Best shot he has ever had up to this point in his career.

Is this the year for Marco to finally break the 'Andretti Curse'? Has a strong car and a strong team. Best shot he has ever had up to this point in his career.

7

--

Justin Wilson

The guy just keeps chugging along under the radar. Gets no publicity with the 'small' Dale Coyne Team, but churns out top 10s on a regular basis.

The guy just keeps chugging along under the radar. Gets no publicity with the 'small' Dale Coyne Team, but churns out top 10s on a regular basis.

8

--

Josef Newgarden

Getting better on the road courses, but is back in his element on the big oval at Indy. Qualified for the Fast 9 over the weekend and gives Sarah Fisher Racing her best shot to win the 500 this year.

Getting better on the road courses, but is back in his element on the big oval at Indy. Qualified for the Fast 9 over the weekend and gives Sarah Fisher Racing her best shot to win the 500 this year.

9

--

Tony Kanaan

Been treading water through the first part of the year with his new team, but always runs well at the Speedway. Looking for the first back-to-back Indy 500 wins since Castroneves did it in 2001 and 2002.

Been treading water through the first part of the year with his new team, but always runs well at the Speedway. Looking for the first back-to-back Indy 500 wins since Castroneves did it in 2001 and 2002.

10

N/R

James Hinchcliffe

The Mayor of Hinchtown has seen it all so far this year: has been taken out twice while in the top 3, and has been nailed by debris on his helmet -- thankfully he's fine. About time for some luck to start going his way. Starting second on Sunday. Watch for the Canadian.

The Mayor of Hinchtown has seen it all so far this year: has been taken out twice while in the top 3, and has been nailed by debris on his helmet -- thankfully he's fine. About time for some luck to start going his way. Starting second on Sunday. Watch for the Canadian.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@sourcemedia.net