The exhilarating NTT IndyCar Series is poised for its much-anticipated return next weekend, concluding a brief but refreshing three-week summer hiatus. As the season re-ignites, the championship battle is heating up, with Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson holding a slender lead. Breathing down his neck is the seasoned veteran Will Power, creating a captivating two-horse race with nine fiercely contested events still remaining in the thrilling 2022 calendar.
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That the top two positions in the championship standings are occupied by drivers representing Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, respectively, comes as no grand revelation to long-time followers of American open-wheel racing. These two titans of the sport have consistently set the benchmark for excellence, dominating the landscape of IndyCar for decades. In the 14 seasons since the major reunification of American open-wheel racing in 2008, the prestigious IndyCar series championship has only once eluded a driver from either of these two formidable, resource-rich organizations. Their unwavering dominance is a testament to their superior engineering prowess, astute strategic acumen, and unparalleled ability to attract and develop top-tier driving talent, making them perennial favorites in any championship discussion.
However, the identities of the drivers currently leading the charge for these powerhouse teams this season present a more intriguing and unexpected narrative. Few pundits or dedicated fans would have predicted Marcus Ericsson to be at the helm for Ganassi, or Will Power to be spearheading Penske’s title assault, when the season commenced back in February on the challenging streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The pre-season discussions largely centered on other established stars and rising talents, making their current positions at the pinnacle of the standings a remarkable testament to their exceptional performance and the series’ inherent, captivating unpredictability.
Heading into the 2022 season, the reigning IndyCar champion Álex Palou, fresh off a stellar debut year with Ganassi, and six-time series champion Scott Dixon, still consistently capable of securing race wins and podium finishes, were widely considered the primary contenders from the Ganassi stable. It would have required a significant leap of faith, and perhaps a touch of clairvoyance, to seriously suggest with conviction that Ericsson would surpass these two celebrated and highly accomplished drivers by the halfway point of the season. Yet, with nine of the 17 races now complete, Ericsson finds himself in command of the championship, a truly remarkable turnaround that has fundamentally redefined expectations for the Swedish driver and injected fresh excitement into the title fight.
Marcus Ericsson’s journey in IndyCar has been one of consistent progression, marked by a quiet determination that has now blossomed into full-fledged championship contention. While he claimed his first two IndyCar victories last year, both came under somewhat unique and advantageous circumstances, hinting at his underlying potential rather than fully demonstrating a sustained top-tier performance. Nonetheless, his consistent presence throughout the 2021 season proved he possessed the raw talent and racecraft to compete effectively with IndyCar’s elite. Even if his career were to conclude today, his name would forever be etched onto the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy as an Indianapolis 500 champion – a singular achievement that elevates any driver’s legacy and places him in an exclusive club of motorsport greats.
Undeniably, securing victory at the legendary Indianapolis 500 provides an immense and immediate points boost, fundamentally reshaping a driver’s championship aspirations. The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” awards double points to all starters, with the winner typically receiving a massive 100 points (excluding lead lap bonuses), along with additional bonus points for the top 12 qualifiers. For any full-time driver with genuine title ambitions, these bonus points are invaluable and often pivotal in the overall standings. Palou and Dixon, both desperate for a championship advantage, would certainly have coveted the 100-plus points that accompany winning the calendar’s biggest and most prestigious race, highlighting the immense strategic significance of Ericsson’s triumph not just for prestige, but for championship momentum.
Since his monumental Indy 500 victory, Ericsson has not rested on his laurels or allowed complacency to set in. He has diligently maintained his impressive form, delivering a solid seventh-place finish in Detroit and an even more commendable second-place finish at Road America. This consistent high-level performance in the critical post-500 phase of the IndyCar calendar clearly demonstrates his unwavering intent and robust capability. Marcus Ericsson is now firmly positioned to become the first driver since his illustrious Chip Ganassi Racing predecessor, Dario Franchitti, in 2010, to achieve the coveted feat of winning both the iconic Indianapolis 500 and the demanding NTT IndyCar Series championship in the very same season, a true mark of a dominant campaign.
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Since joining Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020, Ericsson has competed in 38 races, securing a top-10 finish in an impressive 27 of them. This remarkable consistency underscores his ability to reliably bring the car home in strong positions, accumulating valuable points week after week. To truly convert this consistency into a championship title, his next crucial step will be to transform those frequent sixth-to-tenth place finishes into more regular top-fives, coveted podium appearances, and perhaps another outright victory or two. If he can achieve this elevated level of performance and capitalize on opportunities in the remaining races, Ericsson stands a formidable chance of lifting the Astor Challenge Cup at the season finale in Laguna Seca this September, solidifying his unexpected but thoroughly earned rise to the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing.
His 41-year-old rival, Will Power, is certainly no stranger to championship glory, having previously hoisted the Astor Challenge Cup in 2014 after enduring the immense frustration of finishing runner-up in three of the preceding four seasons. Power’s illustrious career is a profound testament to perseverance, unwavering dedication, and raw, undeniable talent, a journey marked by agonizing near misses before his ultimate and well-deserved triumph.
If IndyCar were to establish a dedicated Hall of Fame, Will Power would undoubtedly be a first-ballot inductee on the sheer strength of his extraordinary resume. His glittering career includes a coveted Indianapolis 500 victory, a hard-fought series championship, an astonishing 41 career wins, and a very realistic prospect of breaking the all-time record for pole positions – a testament to his qualifying prowess. He was already celebrated as an elite road and street course specialist, often dominating qualifying sessions and races on these challenging layouts with breathtaking speed. With the invaluable addition of age and extensive experience, he has meticulously refined his craft, systematically developing formidable oval racing prowess that has transformed him into a truly complete, versatile, and legendary all-around driver, capable of excelling on any circuit type IndyCar throws at him.
Power is also renowned for his fiery, uncompromising competitive spirit, a trait often characterized by a notoriously short fuse when confronted with anything less than outright perfection on track. This intense passion has occasionally spilled over, most famously encapsulated by his infamous two-finger gesture directed at race control after a controversial restart led to his frustrating crash at New Hampshire in 2011. This passionate and sometimes volatile temperament has been a defining trait throughout his storied career, adding a unique layer of drama and unadulterated excitement to his already compelling performances, making him one of the most watchable drivers in the paddock.
It is precisely this well-known volatility and passionate reputation that made the observed shift in Power’s demeanor during his strong start to the 2022 season such a pervasive talking point among pundits, broadcasters, and fans alike. His new, seemingly calm, and even-keel approach was widely lauded as a significant sign of maturity and a key contributing factor in his remarkably consistent results early in the season. However, this carefully constructed facade momentarily cracked following a post-race incident at Road America, where he controversially nudged the side of Devlin DeFrancesco’s car after an earlier collision. This momentary lapse served as a potent reminder of the deep-seated competitive fire that still burns fiercely within the Australian veteran.
Despite this brief return to his old habits, it is unequivocally clear that Will Power has enjoyed his most impressive and consistent start to an IndyCar season since he completely dominated the entire month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2018. With a commanding victory in Detroit and an impressive tally of six finishes inside the top four across the season so far, Power’s average finishing position at this stage is demonstrably superior to Ericsson’s. Yet, a somewhat subdued performance at this year’s Indianapolis 500, combined with finishes in the teens at both the Indy GP and Road America, has left Power trailing Ericsson by a manageable but significant 27 points. These inconsistent results, particularly at key races, underscore the critical importance of minimizing errors and maximizing points in the intensely competitive remaining events, if he is to secure his second title.
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In recent seasons, fans and astute analysts had grown accustomed to seeing Power salvage a win or two towards the very end of the year, often after his championship aspirations had already been mathematically extinguished and the title was out of reach. After finishing a relatively distant ninth in the championship table last year, it was entirely reasonable for many to conclude that this represented the absolute ceiling for him in what were perceived as his twilight years at Team Penske. The narrative in the paddock often shifted towards his younger, seemingly more potent teammates, hinting at a changing of the guard.
Indeed, his formidable teammate Josef Newgarden has clinched two championships since joining Penske and has finished runner-up in the previous two seasons, firmly establishing himself as a formidable and consistent force at the top. Newgarden is also the only multiple race winner in the 2022 season so far, further cementing his status as a top contender and a consistent threat. Even Scott McLaughlin, after securing his maiden win at St. Petersburg and following it up with a strong second place in Texas, appeared to be a more realistic future title challenger. These impressive performances from his teammates certainly contributed to the perception that Power’s absolute best days might be firmly behind him, yet he has defied these expectations.
However, the several years colored by early-season misfortune and championship fades have now seemingly been entirely consigned to the past. Will Power has meticulously rebuilt his championship bid and now possesses a genuine, tangible opportunity to add a second illustrious IndyCar title to his already impressive career. To achieve this momentous goal, he must vigilantly avoid a resurgence of the very early-season woes – now translated into critical championship-deciding stretch errors – that so often thwarted his efforts and derailed his campaigns prior to his breakthrough championship triumph in 2014. Consistency, flawless execution, and exceptional nerve in these final high-pressure races will be absolutely paramount for the veteran, as he chases yet another career milestone.
As is customary in the fiercely competitive and inherently unpredictable world of IndyCar, the title race remains wide open, and the current top two drivers are far from the only contenders for the coveted Astor Challenge Cup. The series is renowned for its extraordinary depth of talent and unpredictable outcomes, ensuring that many other drivers still harbor realistic aspirations of lifting the championship trophy.
Josef Newgarden, currently sitting third in the points, remains a potent and ever-present threat. If he can elevate his consistency and secure more frequent top-ten finishes, his natural speed, aggressive driving style, and winning pedigree make him perfectly capable of rapidly closing the gap and mounting a serious charge. Pato O’Ward continues to demonstrate that his breakout 2021 season was no mere fluke, consistently showcasing raw speed, aggressive racing, and undeniable talent that makes him a fan favorite and a strong, viable challenger. His McLaren SP teammate, Felix Rosenqvist, appears to be finally finding his stride and rounding back into top form at a crucial juncture, particularly as he navigates a contract year and aims to prove his worth and secure his future in the series.
Despite their respective misfortunes at the Indianapolis 500, both Scott Dixon and Álex Palou, with their proven track records, championship experience, and unwavering determination, are still very much within striking distance. Never, under any circumstances, count out these Ganassi stalwarts. Even Alexander Rossi, in his final season with Andretti Autosport before his anticipated departure, is building a strong run of consistent results and currently sits ahead of his highly-touted teammates, Colton Herta and Romain Grosjean, in the standings, further highlighting his enduring talent and resolute determination.
Yet, by consistently defying pre-season expectations and delivering exceptional, high-level performances, Marcus Ericsson and Will Power have firmly cemented their positions at the absolute forefront of this compelling and fiercely fought championship battle. Barring an unforeseen and catastrophic turn of events for either driver in these pivotal final races, they are not merely transient leaders but established and formidable contenders who are here to stay, promising an electrifying and unforgettable conclusion to the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season. The stage is perfectly set for a thrilling sprint to the finish, where consistency, nerve, and sheer driving skill will ultimately determine who claims the coveted championship title.
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