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INDYCAR: Power Rankings (Texas)

By fleshwound_NPG@fleshwound_NPG Jun 7, 2012, 12:34pm EDT

"Bump in the road" puns are bad puns. Even if muttered by Roger Penske.

Usually I would have some form of analysis and/or snark appearing HERE before the rankings. However due to my internet having its own pothole recently (cut fiber line, per my 'net provider...seriously) as well as work overtime The Power Rankings intro, like Hell Isle, will (thankfully) be shortened.

Also I'm saving the pothole/owner/aero-kit bitching for tomorrow.

Quickly on to the fun stuff 15-lap feature sprint style.

(This week's Power Rankings after the jump)

THE GRID

1. Scott Dixon

Previous ranking: 4 (+3)

All laps led. No lead changes. Red flag. Hardly any passing. Ganassi 1-2. The most Scott Dixoniest of all Scott Dixon wins.

2. Dario Franchitti

Previous ranking: 1 (-1)

The Lucky Horseshoe is alive and well. The ovals await his points hoarding.

3. Will Power

Previous ranking: 2 (-1)

These are the only ovals of the year (besides Fontana), so might as well get them out of the way quickly for him...and make the points battle more interesting for at least a while. We don't need a Chase format, just some ovals to confuse him (and his pit crew).

4. Simon Pagenaud

Previous ranking: 7 (+3)

Can we please give the Rookie of the Year title to someone who DESERVES to be called a "rookie"?

5. James Hinchcliffe

Previous ranking: 3 (-2)

The Mayor was displeased at Detroit's lack of infrastructure. #HinchForPotholeRepairs

6. Helio Castroneves

Previous ranking: 5 (-1)

Extended Red-Flag interviews, once reserved for Danica, are now for him. Apparently.

7. Oriol Servia

Previous ranking: 15 (+8)

Um, Oriol...don't mess with Texas.

8. Tony Kanaan

Previous ranking: 12 (+4)

No coincidence that the moment he stopped driving a radioactive pickle he started getting results.

9. Ryan Hunter-Reay

Previous ranking: 11 (+2)

I don't blame him for NOT getting too close to Viso.

10. Ryan Briscoe

Previous ranking: 8 (-2)

All those Penske brownie points he earned at Indy...

11. Takuma Sato

Previous ranking: 6 (-5)

Wrecking going for the win at Indy...a bit more honorable than wrecking trying to hold position at Belle Isle. The King is back.

12. JR Hildebrand

Previous ranking: 10 (-2)

Not surprised to see a John Barnes' owned team penalized after the checkered...

13. Charlie Kimball

Previous ranking: unranked

Are we sure Graham didn't just switch cars on us?

14. Alex Tagliani

Previous ranking: unranked

Considering whom the driver is married to, and whom the lead mechanic is (about to be) married to they should just be renamed "Team Overachievers".

15. Simona de Silvestro

Previous ranking: unranked

The Lotus Index of Effluency (LIE) Award might no longer be awarded anymore (due to ONE remaining Lotus), but the LIE will continue to influence the Power Rankings. Such results in a Lotus begets praise. Okay, that AND my shameless Simona infatuation is why she's here. YOU WOULD DO IT, TOO.

(The pun was NOT intended, oh wise and powerful HVM Racing lawyers)

DNQ (Bumped from the field)

Rubens Barrichello