INDYCAR Power Rankings: There's a new No. 1 and his name is Kyle

Alex Palou still has a dominating lead in the INDYCAR point standings, but with Kyle Kirkwood capturing the last two races, there’s a new driver on top of this power rankings list.

Kyle Kirkwood celebrates on podium with confetti after winning the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 

Kirkwood earned his first career oval victory Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway (commonly known as Gateway). That followed his win on the streets of Detroit.

With three wins this year, Kirkwood has shown the growth needed to be a major factor in the series. If not for a penalty at Indianapolis, he’d be just 51 points (instead of 75) behind Palou.

Here are this week’s power rankings heading into back-to-back races on permanent road courses at Road America and Mid-Ohio. 

Dropped out: Josef Newgarden (Last Week: 9)

On the verge: David Malukas, Josef Newgarden, Felix Rosenqvist 

10. Scott McLaughlin (LW: 7)

McLaughlin’s day ended 44 laps before the finish when he broke something in the left rear. The Team Penske driver had started second on the grid. He continues to have speed. He led 51 laps Sunday night. But he's not having the finishes he would like.

9. Marcus Armstrong (LW: Not Ranked)

Armstrong finished ninth at Gateway, his third top 10 in the last four races. For the young Meyer Shank Racing driver, that type of consistency is key.

8. Colton Herta (LW: 6)

Herta couldn’t follow up his third-place run at Detroit with a solid finish. He placed 17th at Gateway, while Kirkwood — an Andretti teammate — won the race.

7. Santino Ferrucci (LW: 10)

Ferrucci placed fifth at Gateway for his third consecutive top-five finish. The AJ Foyt Racing driver has moved up to 11th in the standings and would be eighth without the penalty for a