IndyCar News: We rank the top-10 IndyCar drivers of 2025

The 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season was one of utter dominance, with Alex Palou securing his fourth championship in five years—and a historic three-peat—by a massive 196 points over Pato O’Ward. Palou claimed eight victories, including his maiden Indianapolis 500 triumph, becoming the first driver since Dario Franchitti in 2010 to win both the Indy 500 and the title in the same year. Chip Ganassi Racing powered to another strong campaign, but points don’t capture the full picture in a 17-race season blending ovals, road courses, and streets.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

This ranking delves deeper: qualifying speed, racecraft, consistency, overperformance in machinery, and standout moments like the drama-filled Indy 500. In a year of hybrid energy deployment challenges, Penske’s struggles, and breakout performances from midfield runners, here are the top 10 drivers who truly defined 2025.

1. Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – The Dominant Force

Rank in Point Standings: 1st
No. of Wins: 8
No. of Poles: 6
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 8-1 (vs. Dixon)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 6-0

Palou delivered one of the most commanding seasons in IndyCar history, winning eight races—including his breakthrough Indy 500 victory, where he passed Marcus Ericsson late to claim the Borg-Warner Trophy as the first Spaniard ever. His first oval win came at the biggest stage, backed by ruthless consistency: 14 top-fives and leading nearly 800 laps. Minimal mistakes, masterful hybrid management, and turning a strong Ganassi car into an unbeatable weapon cemented him as the grid’s undisputed benchmark.

2. Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) – The Resilient Challenger

Rank in Point Standings: 2nd
No. of Wins: 2
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 2-0 (over Lundgaard)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Led qualifying battles

O’Ward emerged as the clearest threat to Palou’s reign, securing runner-up with consistent podiums and two victories that kept the title fight alive longer than expected. Strong one-lap pace, bold overtakes, and a podium in the Indy 500 highlighted his growth. In McLaren’s competitive package, he outshone teammates and delivered when pressure mounted, proving he’s ready for championship contention.

3. Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) – The Evergreen Master

Rank in Point Standings: 3rd
No. of Wins: 1
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 1-8 (to Palou)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 0-6

At 45, Dixon reminded everyone why he’s a six-time champion with fuel-saving mastery and charging drives that yielded a win and consistent top-10s despite being overshadowed by Palou. His experience shone on ovals, dragging the Ganassi entry to podiums when pace dipped. Error-free racing and smart strategy calls made him the best of the non-dominant runners.

4. Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) – The Victory Hunter

Rank in Point Standings: 4th
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Led Andretti pack
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong qualifying

Kirkwood broke through with three wins, showcasing blistering speed on streets and roads. Aggressive yet controlled racecraft, plus strong recovery drives, elevated Andretti amid inconsistencies. His standout performances dragged the team higher than expected, marking him as a future title contender.

5. Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) – The Consistent Overachiever

Rank in Point Standings: 5th
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-2 (to O’Ward)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive

Lundgaard’s winless season belied a career-best fifth place, with six podiums and remarkable consistency—11 top-10s in McLaren’s machinery. Clean racing, excellent tire management, and extracting maximum points on off-days made him a quiet star, often outperforming expectations in a crowded field.

6. Colton Herta (Andretti Global) – Off to Formula 2

Rank in Point Standings: 6th/7th (tied or near)
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-3 (to Kirkwood)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Led one-lap pace

Herta’s electric qualifying—multiple poles—and flashy overtakes kept him in contention despite no wins. Five top-fives showed his raw talent, though inconsistencies cost higher placement. In Andretti’s package, his speed on road courses remained unmatched. He is off to Formula 2 in 2026 to prepare himself for a possible full-time ride in Formula 1.

7. Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) – The Midfield Maestro

Rank in Point Standings: 6th (tied)
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Even or led
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive

Rosenqvist dragged Meyer Shank to strong results, including podiums and top-10 consistency in underpowered machinery. Smart strategy and wheel-to-wheel battles highlighted his adaptability, earning praise for overperformance.

8. Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing) – The Rising Star

Rank in Point Standings: 8th
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Competitive
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Solid

Armstrong’s sophomore surge included podiums and steady points, showing maturity on ovals and roads. Clean drives and late-season form marked a breakout year.

9. Will Power (Team Penske) – The Veteran Warrior

Rank in Point Standings: 9th
No. of Wins: 1
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Led Penske at times
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong

Power battled Penske’s woes but secured wins and poles through experience and aggression, keeping the team afloat amid misfortunes.

10. David Malukas (AJ Foyt Racing) – The Indy Hero

Rank in Point Standings: Lower top-15
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Overperformed
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive

Malukas’s podium (promoted) in the Indy 500 spotlighted his potential, with charging drives in modest equipment making him a standout underdog. He showed enough skill to convince Roger Penske to hire him for 2026.

2025 was Palou’s masterpiece, but resilient chasers and midfield heroes reminded us why IndyCar thrills: raw speed, strategy, and heart on America’s diverse tracks. On to 2026!