The first power rankings of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season are based on how the 2023 season ended combined with what we witnessed during Sunday’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. He was 12th and ninth, respectively, in the pre-qualifying practice sessions, qualified 11th and finished the race in ninth. His average finishing spot over the final 11 races in 2023 was an eye-popping 3.36. He was the top Honda finisher in Sunday’s 100-lap race, in fifth. “Life’s too short,” he said Sunday after the race in St. Petersburg. Will Power was fourth and third, respectively, in the pre-qualifying practice sessions, qualified eighth and finished fourth. Newgarden was not a preseason pick to top this list after St. Petersburg. After all, three of his final four finishes in 2023 were 21st or worse.

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