ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....huh....uhh....wait, what?

Oh, I guess it's time for another IndyCar race weekend. I remember what those were like. Sort of. The last time IndyCar held a race the Olympics were still going on, all three Detroit manufacturers we're in NASCAR, the second rumor of team owners buying IndyCar was still weeks away, and Jay Penske pissed excellence ON the track with Seabass' top 5 finish.

Ah, those were the days.

Still hard to believe with so few races this summer that we're only THREE races away from finishing the 2012 season. Perhaps we can have a little something extra for next year if we're only going to have so few weekends to watch racing. Just as long as Mid-Ohio or Edmonton aren't being considered for such an idea.

Enough of that. Who leads the Power Rankings heading into the home stretch?

(This week's Power Rankings after the jump)

THE GRID

1. Scott Dixon

Previous ranking: 3 (+2)

OH HELL NO, SCOTT.

2. Ryan Hunter-Reay

Previous ranking: 1 (-1)

Yes you have.

3. Will Power

Previous ranking: 5 (+2)

Has rediscovered his lost powers by bringing back this gem for his Twitter avatar.

4. Helio Castroneves

Previous ranking: 2 (-2)

Fairly obvious the racing gods weren't keen with the announcement that Twinkle Toes is returning to "Dancing with the Stars".

5. Tony Kanaan

Previous ranking: 4 (-1)

Still can't get qualifying right and keeps starting mid-pack. We're all better for it.

6. James Hinchcliffe

Previous ranking: 6 (no change)

Still mathematically eligible for the title. The last time we saw a GoDaddy car with such muscle...I was still watching NASCAR as often as everybody else.

7. Simon Pagenaud

Previous ranking: 7 (no change)

Okay, okay. We get it. You're not a real rookie. We know.

8. Alex Tagliani

Previous ranking: 10 (+2)

What's worse than Canadian on Canadian crime? French-Canadian on French-Canadian crime.

9. Dario Franchitti

Previous ranking: 8 (-1)

Not since Ryan Newman (or at least Ryan's qualifying prowess pre-COT) as a driver vanished after a racing series significantly changed its chassis/body rules (Indy notwithstanding).

10. Ryan Briscoe

Previous ranking: 11 (+1)

I literally can't think up anything witty here to say about him. He's just been kinda meh lately. So here instead is a video of a hover bike. Yes, a real hover bike.

11. Oriol Servia

Previous ranking: 10 (-1)

I must know more about this "Mr. Chubbs".

12. Justin Wilson

Previous ranking: 12 (no change)

How somebody with dyslexia can be a racing driver is beyond me. Perhaps he studies the track backwards? I've always wondered how Long Beach would race with the hairpin as Turn 1...

13. JR Hildebrand

Previous ranking: unranked

Jerry Rice not included

14. Charlie Kimball

Previous ranking: 14 (no change)

Yep, as promised last time I've kept him at 14th spot for missing him post-Toronto. Now watch him DNF the next 3 races...

15. Mike Conway

Previous ranking: 15 (no change)

Also as promised I've kept him at 15th for also missing him as well. Gotta keep on AJ's good side any way possible.

DNQ (Bumped from the field)

Takuma Sato

Previous ranking: 13

Ya know, it's been awhile since he's hit anything...OH NEVERMIND.

Marco Andretti

He is old enough to drink the wine now...

Rubens Barrichello

Speaking of whine country...

Graham Rahal

Hey Mr. Ganassi, I know of another 23 year old who isn't spoiled and would actually be happy (ie: WON'T WHINE) to drive your 2nd team car.

Speaking of which...

Simona de Silvestro

It appears Tropical Storm Issac could be over Baltimore during the weekend of that race. Foreshadowing...HVM Racing has it?