IndyCar Power Rankings: Alex Palou first in many categories as series reaches Indy 500

The biggest race of the IndyCar season is here, and the top-ranked driver in NBC Sports’ power rankings has big momentum on his side.

After opening a two-week residency at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a May 14 victory on the road course in the GMR Grand Prix, Alex Palou kept chugging along on the 2.5-mile oval last weekend. The Chip Ganassi Racing star broke the Indy 500 pole qualifying record with a four-lap average at 234.217 mph to capture the top starting spot.

It’s the first career oval pole position for the IndyCar points leader, who now can become the second driver to sweep the triple crown of major May awards at IMS (joining Simon Pagenaud in 2019).

Heading into the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, here’s NBC Sports’ IndyCar top 10 power rankings through five of 17 races this year (with previous ranking in parenthesis):

1. Alex Palou (1): Again, we ask: Are we sure he will leave Chip Ganassi Racing? He outdueled all four cars of the team he allegedly will join next season, and Chip has said he’s more than welcome to stay.

2. Pato O’Ward (5): There’s been a quiet confidence – and a touch of atypical seriousness – this month for O’Ward, who seems very determined to improve from second to first in this year’s Indy 500.

3. Alexander Rossi (9): His charge through the pack in the GMR Grand Prix was fun to watch, and his Fast Six appearance reminded that few IndyCar drivers are more comfortable being on edge at the Brickyard.

4. Marcus Ericsson (4): The Swede is holding steady during his Indy 500 title defense, but the uncertainty of where he will race next season likely will start taking a toll if unsettled by the summer.

5. Scott Dixon (8): Since a podium in the St. Pete season opener, the six-time