IndyCar Power Rankings: Helio Castroneves overtakes Scott Dixon

The top spot in the IZOD IndyCar Series Power Rankings list continues to change hands as Helio Castroneves has retaken the top spot of the podium from Scott Dixon. With five races remaining in the season, Castroneves has set his sights on the long elusive championship and the rankings have reflected it.

1. Helio Castroneves (LW: 2)

The Penske veteran did the bare minimum that was required of him in the championship battle, finishing one spot ahead of Scott Dixon on Sunday at Mid-Ohio. A 31-point with five races remaining is pretty sizeable given recent championship fights.

2. Scott Dixon (LW: 1)

Dixon failed to win a fourth-straight IndyCar Series race but maintained pace with Castroneves in the championship battle, losing just two spots to the leader in a race that went green from wire-to-wire.

3. Dario Franchitti (LW: 4)

It was another podium on Sunday for Dario Franchitti who has steadily climbed up both the power rankings and championship standings after the worst start of his Indy car career earlier in the season. Oh -- don’t forget about the teaser that he expects to return to Target Chip Ganassi Racing next season.

4. Charlie Kimball (LW: 6)

Scoring his first-career victory is the latest bucket list achievement for Charlie Kimball this season. Finally accepted as a full-fledged Ganassi Racing driver, the momentum could lead to championship momentum in 2014.

5. Ryan Hunter-Reay (LW: 7)

A fifth-place at Mid-Ohio appears to be a case of too little, too late for the defending IndyCar champion. He gained just a handful of points on Castroneves and Dixon and is still 65 points out of the top spot.

6. Simon Pagenaud (LW: NR)

A second-place at Mid-Ohio was a well-needed confidence booster for the Schmidt Hamilton driver. It was his first podium since winning at Belle Isle in June and came off the heels of his first SB Nation interview. That counts for something, right?

7. Will Power (LW: 10)

A fourth-place finish has to be considered somewhat disappointing for the Penske ace. He was amongst the leaders all afternoon and just found himself on the wrong pit strategy. Story of his season thus far as Power is still looking for his first win of the season.

8. Sebastien Bourdais (LW: 5)

While a 12th place finish is somewhat down to Earth from his remarkable twin podiums at Toronto, it’s still above the Dragon Racing average from the first half of the season. It was a solid day for the four-time CART champion.

9. Marco Andretti (LW: 3)

With mostly road and street courses remaining in the season, Andretti’s chances at contending and victory lane appears to be behind him. Winning the 500-miler at Auto Club Speedway at the end of the season has to be a priority for Andretti after so many oval wins slipped through his fingers at the start of the season.

10. James Davison/Luca Filippi

These two drivers made their first career IndyCar starts for Dale Coyne Racing and Barracuda Racing respectively and finished 15th and 16th respectively. Kudos!