IndyCar title contenders know point scenarios
Power leads Hunter-Reay by 17 points, 453-436, entering the Sept. 15 MAVTV 500, the season-finale of the 15-race season. The race broadcast starts at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) and will be televised live on NBC Sports Network. The winner of the title will earn a $1 million bonus.
The mission is simple for Power, beat Hunter-Reay and take his first series championship. More than 30 scenarios exist for Hunter-Reay to overtake Power.
Both seem comfortable with their roles. Hunter-Reay joked that it's fitting that he's the hunter and Power the hunted, given his surname.
"I definitely like the position we're in, chasing. We've been doing that for most of the year. I think we've been getting better at it. We need to go out and focus on winning. That's really what it's going to be about. The race that we have in the first 250 is going to be a lot different than we have in the last 250. We could see a lot of comers and goers. It's going to be changing the entire time.
IZOD INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP SCENARIOS:
With 50 points available to the winner of each IZOD IndyCar Series race,(as well as a point for the IZOD IndyCar Series pole award and two points for leading the most laps) there are more than 30 possibilities for Ryan Hunter-Reay to win the IZOD IndyCar Series title.
If Hunter-Reay wins the race and takes the three bonus points, Power must finish second.
If Hunter-Reay wins the race with two bonus points, Power must finish third with one bonus point.
If Power starts the race and finishes 25 or 26th, Hunter-Reay must finish sixth or better to win the title.
If Hunter-Reay wins the pole and the race, Power must finish third or better.
If Hunter-Reay wins with no bonus points, Power must finish fourth with two bonus points or third with no bonus points.
If Power starts the race and finishes 18-24th, Hunter-Reay must finish fifth or better, regardless of bonus points.
In case of a tie, Hunter-Reay has the edge with four wins versus three for Power.
IZOD INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:
1st = 50 points
2nd = 40 points
3rd = 35 points
4th = 32 points
5th = 30 points
6th = 28 points
7th = 26 points
8th = 24 points
9th =22 points
10th = 20 points
11th = 19 points
12th = 18 points
13th = 17 points
14th = 16 points
15th = 15 points
16th = 14 points
17th = 13 points
18th-24th = 12 points
25th-26th = 10 points
1 bonus point for winning pole
2 bonus points for leading the most laps.