INDYCAR Power Rankings: It's Alex Palou's World

The run for Pato O’Ward atop these INDYCAR rankings didn’t last all that long. 

It’s Alex Palou’s world and the rest of the drivers are just living in it, recognizing that they could have an excellent season and still not match Palou.

Alex Palou celebrates after winning at Laguna Seca

Palou’s eight wins give him the chance to clinch the title at the next race in two weeks at Portland. He sits 121 points ahead of O'Ward and needs to leave Portland with a 108-point lead to clinch his fourth championship.

Here's how the drivers stack up after the weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca:

Dropped out: Rinus VeeKay (Last Week: 10) 

On the verge: Josef Newgarden, Graham Rahal, Christian Rasmussen

10. David Malukas (Last Week: 8)

Malukas had a strong qualifying effort in making the Fast Six but was 13th in the race. That's still two top 10s in his last three starts and no finish worse than 15th since early May for the A.J. Foyt Racing driver. He’s 10th in the standings.

9. Felix Rosenqvist (Last Week: 6)

Rosenqvist found himself in the barrier in the opening lap after contact from Kyffin Simpson. He wound up 24th. He started 12th, so that can happen in the middle of the pack, but the Meyer Shank driver never got to show what he had. He’s sixth in the standings.

Felix Rosenqvist prior to the NTT INDYCAR Series Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 

8. Will Power (Last Week: Not Ranked)

Power started fifth and finished seventh as the top-running Team Penske driver in the race. He’s ninth in the standings despite two engine issues in the last month.

7. Kyle Kirkwood (Last Week: 4)

Kirkwood had a race to forget, as he was penalized with a stop-and-go for avoidable contact when he