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The 2022 IndyCar Series season delivered an unforgettable spectacle of high-speed racing, fierce rivalries, and dramatic championship battles. As we celebrate the exceptional talents that graced the track, RaceFans proudly presents the second installment of our definitive countdown: The Top 10 IndyCar Drivers of 2022. This segment delves into the elite performers who ranked from fifth all the way to the undisputed number one driver of the year, showcasing their triumphs, challenges, and the indelible marks they left on the sport. From breakout stars to seasoned legends, these drivers navigated a season filled with exhilarating moments and intense competition, making their inclusion in this prestigious list truly well-deserved. Join us as we explore the remarkable journeys of IndyCar’s finest in 2022.
5 – Scott McLaughlin – Penske: A Meteoric Rise to IndyCar Elite
In 2022, Scott McLaughlin unequivocally announced his arrival as a bona fide elite driver in the NTT IndyCar Series. His transformation from a promising rookie into a consistent frontrunner was one of the season’s most compelling narratives. While he claimed Rookie of the Year honors in 2021, aided by Romain Grosjean’s limited schedule, his initial adaptation to single-seater racing felt somewhat ordinary, a stark contrast to his dominant Supercars career in Australia where he secured three consecutive titles and a Bathurst 1000 victory. Yet, the off-season proved to be a pivotal period, allowing McLaughlin to leverage the unparalleled resources at Team Penske and redefine his approach.
The evidence of his profound improvement was immediate and spectacular. He converted his maiden IndyCar pole position into a sensational victory at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, skillfully fending off reigning champion Alex Palou in a memorable performance. This was not a fluke; McLaughlin almost doubled his win tally at Texas Motor Speedway, demonstrating a newfound prowess on ovals that had only flashed in his rookie year. Despite a mid-season slump that included spins at the GMR Grand Prix and Detroit, along with an unfortunate crash out of the Indianapolis 500, McLaughlin showcased remarkable resilience and mental fortitude.
He broke his win drought by once again defeating Palou at Mid-Ohio, signaling his return to peak form. The latter half of the season was particularly strong, with McLaughlin never finishing worse than sixth in the final six races. This impressive run included four podium finishes, another pole position in the streets of Nashville, and a utterly dominant pole-to-win performance at Portland International Raceway. For a driver whose entire junior open-wheel career comprised a single season of regional Formula Ford, McLaughlin’s rapid ascension in IndyCar is nothing short of extraordinary. The “proof of concept” is definitively real, and “Scotty Mac” is now expected to be a consistent contender for victories and the championship in the seasons to come, solidifying his position as one of IndyCar’s most exciting talents.
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4 – Pato O’Ward – McLaren SP: Unyielding Pace Amidst Turbulence
Pato O’Ward, the electrifying 23-year-old ace of McLaren SP, continues to be one of the most dynamic and thrilling drivers on the IndyCar grid. When he has a competitive car beneath him, his lightning-quick reflexes, aggressive driving style, and blistering speed make him a formidable force, capable of pulling off breathtaking overtakes and commanding performances. Although he concluded the 2022 season in a seventh-place championship position, this ranking does not fully reflect the true impact and potential he displayed throughout the year. Many would argue he was exceptionally unlucky not to have matched or even surpassed his third-place finish from 2021.
O’Ward’s season was punctuated by moments of sheer brilliance. He delivered a sensational drive to snatch victory from Rinus VeeKay at Barber Motorsports Park, showcasing his unparalleled race craft and strategic prowess. This crucial win not only boosted his confidence but also played a significant role in securing his new three-year contract with McLaren. Later in the season, he capitalized on Josef Newgarden’s misfortune to claim his second victory in the Iowa 300, having already secured a second-place finish the day prior, highlighting his consistent speed on ovals. The Indianapolis 500, however, represented a missed opportunity, where O’Ward was a strong contender but ultimately finished second to Marcus Ericsson. While he claimed a lack of horsepower prevented a last-lap pass, some contend a more audacious move into Turn 1 could have seen his name etched on the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Following the Indy 500, O’Ward’s title aspirations suffered significant setbacks due to back-to-back mechanical failures at Road America and Mid-Ohio, the latter occurring after he had led the opening stages from pole. These reliability issues were incredibly costly, effectively derailing his championship bid. His official elimination from contention came at Portland, and a subsequent pileup in Nashville served as a symbolic and frustrating end to his title hopes. Compounding these on-track challenges was off-track discord, with rumblings about his dissatisfaction at McLaren, further complicated by the public drama surrounding Alex Palou’s pre-contract agreement. Despite these distractions, O’Ward’s talent shone through. Now part of an expanded three-car team for 2023, Pato O’Ward is undeniably expected to be at the forefront of the Astor Cup chase, armed with renewed determination and the raw speed that makes him a fan favorite and a perennial threat.
3 – Josef Newgarden – Penske: A Season of Peaks, Valleys, and Unmatched Wins
Josef Newgarden, the formidable “favorite son” of Hendersonville, Tennessee, delivered another masterclass in relentless competitiveness during the 2022 IndyCar Series season, yet for the third consecutive year, he finished agonizingly close in second place in the championship standings. His season was a vivid tapestry woven with spectacular highs and challenging lows, showcasing both his incredible talent and the brutal demands of IndyCar racing. A quintessential Newgarden performance unfolded at Laguna Seca, where he overcame a qualifying mistake to charge from 25th to an astonishing second place on a track notoriously difficult for overtaking, demonstrating his unmatched ability to recover and gain positions.
Newgarden’s 2022 campaign was defined by an impressive five victories, the most by any driver in a single season since Simon Pagenaud achieved the same en route to his 2016 championship. He kicked off a dominant run with back-to-back wins at Texas Motor Speedway and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, asserting his versatility across different track types. A significant highlight was his triumph at Road America, where he secured a sponsor’s coveted million-dollar bonus, a testament to his race-winning prowess. However, the emotional and physical climax of his season arrived during the Iowa Speedway doubleheader. After absolutely crushing the field in the 250-lap race on Saturday, he appeared poised for a repeat performance in the 300-lap race the following day. Tragically, a suspension failure pitched him into the wall, ending his race and leading to a collapse outside his motorhome, requiring hospitalization. This dramatic incident underscored the fine line between triumph and adversity in motorsports.
Despite this severe setback, Newgarden displayed remarkable resilience, battling back to secure his fifth win at Gateway, holding off a hard-charging David Malukas in a thrilling finish. Heading into the final weekend at Portland, he was just three points adrift of championship leader Will Power. However, a strategic miscalculation, opting for one too many stints on the harder primary tires, saw him drop to eighth when at least a top-five finish was well within reach, a decision that ultimately cost him dearly in the championship fight. Newgarden’s achievement of winning more than five races in a season and still losing the championship was the first such instance in eleven years, highlighting the incredible depth of talent in IndyCar. Yet, given his consistent performance and relentless drive, it would be foolhardy to bet against him finally securing that elusive third series title in 2023, along with his long-sought-after first Indianapolis 500 victory in what will be his twelfth attempt.
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2 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi: The Agony of One Mile-Per-Hour
For Scott Dixon, the legendary “Iceman” of IndyCar, the 2022 season will forever be remembered as a masterclass in consistency and raw talent, tragically overshadowed by the smallest of margins. Just one single mile-per-hour cost Dixon every major honor he was within grasp of, painting a poignant picture of a season of near-misses and what-ifs. As one of the season’s few serious title contenders, Dixon consistently maximized every opportunity presented to him. His hallmark consistency was evident in his run of eight top-ten finishes in the first nine races, culminating in a strong podium finish at Detroit.
Dixon’s race craft and strategic brilliance were on full display with two spectacular victories. He expertly navigated the streets of Toronto to claim a well-deserved win, showcasing his enduring speed on road courses. More miraculously, he demonstrated his exceptional ability to escape terminal damage after being collected in a multi-car pileup halfway through another chaos-strewn race in Nashville, only to recover and fend off a charging Scott McLaughlin in a thrilling photo finish for his second win of the season. These performances underscored his unwavering skill and composure under pressure. Throughout the entire season, Dixon finished outside the top ten on only two occasions, including a weekend at Laguna Seca where he simply lacked the outright pace to contend for victory.
However, the defining moment of Dixon’s season, and indeed his greatest heartache, came at the Indianapolis 500. He shattered a 26-year-old record for the fastest official pole position run ever, demonstrating blistering qualifying speed. He went on to lead more laps than any other driver, not just on the day, but in the entire history of the iconic race, seemingly destined for a second Indy 500 victory. But a tiny, costly error – entering the pits just one mile-per-hour over the speed limit – resulted in a devastating drive-through penalty and relegated him to a 21st-place finish. This singular misstep not only denied him another coveted Borg-Warner Trophy but also proved to be the pivotal moment that robbed him of a record-equalling seventh national championship. Even in the twilight of his Hall of Fame-calibre career, Dixon remains a formidable force, consistently fighting for victories and championships. Yet, if 2023 marks the beginning of a decline, 2022 will be etched in history as the year where a mere mile-per-hour cost Scott Dixon what many believe was his best and perhaps last chance to significantly build upon his sensational and already legendary record.
1 – Will Power – Penske: The Zen Master of Consistency Claims His Crown
Entering the 2022 IndyCar Series season, the expectations surrounding Will Power were modest, if not cautiously pessimistic. Nearing his 40th birthday and likely on his last full-time IndyCar contract, many speculated that his days as a serious championship contender were behind him, perhaps anticipating a win or two, but little more. However, Power embarked on a profound off-season transformation, not of his physical speed, but of his mental approach. He adopted a philosophy of “Will Power: Master of Zen,” vowing not to be bothered by factors beyond his control and to be content with accumulating points and strong finishes even on days when victory seemed out of reach. While cynics might have viewed this new demeanor as a fragile facade, it proved to be the bedrock of his championship triumph.
The strength of his newfound mental fortitude was tested early, notably after an incident with rookie Devlin DeFrancesco at Road America, where Power was punted out of contention. Yet, instead of the characteristic vitriol, there was a remarkable absence of lasting anger, a clear sign that his “Zen” approach was genuine and powerful. While Power secured only one victory in 2022, a brilliant drive from 16th on the grid to win the final Detroit Grand Prix in Belle Isle against Rossi, his championship was built on an unparalleled foundation of consistency. He led all drivers with an astonishing nine podium finishes, making it more likely than a coin landing on heads or tails for Power to be in the top three during the season.
Beyond his consistency, Power’s raw speed remained undeniable. He captured five pole positions throughout the year, a feat that allowed him to surpass Mario Andretti’s long-standing record for the most poles in the history of major American open-wheel racing, a truly historic achievement that underscores his legendary qualifying prowess. For many, the moment that truly epitomized the “new” Will Power was at Mid-Ohio. After starting 21st, he was spun around on the opening lap due to contact with Takuma Sato, dropping him to the very rear of the field. On a day marked by intra-team turmoil elsewhere, Power calmly collected himself, capitalized on a savvy three-stop strategy, and fought back heroically through the field to finish an incredible third place. This remarkable recovery showcased his unwavering focus and strategic intelligence. Averaging better than a sixth-place finish for the season, despite a less-than-ideal result at the Indy 500, Will Power defied all expectations to secure his second IndyCar Series championship, proving that mental strength, combined with undeniable talent, can redefine a driver’s legacy.
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IndyCar: Further Reading and News
- IndyCar driver McLaughlin cleared of injury after crashing through barrier at Barber
- Schumacher says his IndyCar feels like ‘an F2 car, just with better tyres’
- IndyCar “way faster than Formula 1” in some corners, says Grosjean
- FIA to award more F1 superlicence points to IndyCar drivers from 2026
- Schumacher to race full-time in IndyCar with RLL in 2026
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