Scott Dixon possible received’t win a seventh IndyAutomotive championship this season, however the previous two races have confirmed why he stays eminently succesful.

The Chip Ganassi Racing celebrity stays atop the ability rankings for the second consecutive week after his second consecutive victory.

It may get more durable to complete the season there, although – Dixon has but to win at both Portland International Raceway or WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. As if that weren’t sufficient motivation, Dixon is the one driver mathematically eligible to catch teammate and championship chief Alex Palou, who leads by 74 factors.

INDYCAR AT PORTLAND: Start times, how to watch on NBC and Peacock

It’s a steep climb, however half of Dixon’s six titles got here after he trailed with three races remaining.

Heading into Portland International Raceway, right here’s NBC Sports’ evaluation of the present high 10 drivers by way of 15 of 17 races this yr (with earlier rating in parenthesis):

1. Scott Dixon (1): He’s 54 victories into this profession, however the final two nonetheless go away IndyAutomotive followers and rivals marveling at how gifted he’s with gasoline conservation. At 43, his racecraft retains enhancing and erasing any doubt that age would boring his huge expertise.

2. Pato O’Ward (3): Easily the winless driver most deserving of a victory this season. O’Ward clearly has been pissed off by a number of strokes of misfortune (beginning with a plenum hearth at St. Pete, however the Arrow McLaren star ought to be credited with staying upbeat.

3. Alex Palou (2): Because it’s been two races since his most up-to-date podium, it nearly appears as if Palou has been abnormal currently. But he’s developing on two robust tracks with an opportunity to finish a season of 17^th races of eighth or higher. Truly exceptional.

4. Scott McLaughlin (7): It isn’t all the time flashy, however McLaughlin has completed no worse than eighth in 9 races since opening the season with three finishes outdoors high 10 by way of the Indy 500. Quietly has a shot to complete 2023 as Penske’s highest-ranked driver.

5. Will Power (5): The apply crash was the second time Power’s race weekend adversely was affected by one other driver’s mistake. Power is overdue for a street course pole place and will get two extra photographs this season.

6. Marcus Ericsson (9): With his future set at Andretti Autosport, Ericsson can finish a four-season run at Chip Ganassi Racing on a excessive notice by ending within the high 5 within the factors standings for the primary time (he’s been sixth the previous three years).

7. Alexander Rossi (NR): Consecutive high fives present Rossi some hope that he can finish his first season at Arrow McLaren with the momentum that disappeared throughout a irritating summer season.

8. Colton Herta (NR): Qualifying second and ending sixth have been his bests in additional than a month. The final time IndyAutomotive was on a street course, Herta received consecutive pole positions so the season’s ending kick units up effectively.

9. Josef Newgarden (6): Back-to-back 25^th locations negated his title possibilities, and a five-race oval profitable streak got here to a jarring halt. The Indy 500 winner is on tempo for his worst common begin and end since becoming a member of Penske in 2017.

10. David Malukas (NR): Two begins, two podiums is spectacular at World Wide Technology Raceway. Those outcomes may enhance with whichever workforce employs him subsequent season.

Falling out: Christian Lundgaard (4); Kyle Kirkwood (8); Graham Rahal (10)

PAST NBC SPORTS INDYCAR POWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON: Josef Newgarden is a favorite to win third championship
RACE 1: Pato O’Ward to first; Newgarden drops out after St. Pete
RACE 2: O’Ward stays firmly on top of standings after Texas
RACE 3: Marcus Ericsson leads powerhouses at the top
RACE 4: Grosjean, Palou flex in bids for first victory
RACE 5: Alex Palou carrying all the momentum into Indy 500
RACE 6: Alex Palou stays on top amid Indy 500 surges
RACE 7: Alex Palou continues roll out of Detroit
RACE 8: Alex Palou maximizing his No. 1 ranking
RACE 9: Who’s behind Alex Palou this week?
RACE 10: Alex Palou holds firm, Christian Lundgaard makes jump
RACES 11-12: Josef Newgarden takes top spot on Iowa dominance
RACE 13: Alex Palou reclaims No. 1; Kirkwood moves up
RACE 14: Scott Dixon moves into No. 1 by continuing win streak