Power Rankings: Scott McLaughlin Soars With Late-Season Charge

Editor's Note: Power Rankings is a feature published after every NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in which INDYCAR.com staff writer Eric Smith ranks the top 10 drivers based on recent and season-long performance, statistical trends and the eye test from race weekends.

Scott McLaughlin snapped a 36-race winless drought dating to September 2024 with his victory Sunday in the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

He ended 2026 as hot as any driver in the field, beating Kyle Kirkwood, who placed second to earn his third top-six finish in the final four races of the season.

Here’s the final top 10 in Power Rankings for the 2026 season.

↑10. Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda, Last Rank: NR)

Rosenqvist started third and finished fourth at Laguna Seca for his fifth top-five finish of the season, one of which was his victory in the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Rosenqvist returns to the Power Rankings for the first time since being ranked fourth following Portland International Raceway, four races ago.

↑9. Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet, Last Rank: NR)

Rossi started fourth and finished third, earning his first podium finish since placing third in 2024 at Laguna Seca, his final year with Arrow McLaren. Rossi ended the season with three top-12 finishes in the final four races. This is his first appearance in the Power Rankings since being ranked ninth following Long Beach.

↓8. Rinus VeeKay (No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, Last Rank: 6)

VeeKay finished seventh and third, respectively, at Milwaukee Mile before finishing 16th in the Laguna Seca finale. VeeKay had six top-seven finishes in the final 10 races. He ends 2026 ranked in the Power Rankings after appearing in the ratings after the final seven race weekends.

↑7. Marcus Ericsson (No. 28 DKY Foundation Honda, Last Rank: 8)

Ericsson finished 2026 with a ninth-place finish, one of his 12 top-10 finishes this season. The Andretti Global driver had seven straight top-10 finishes to end the season after recording five in the first 11 races.

↑6. David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Last Rank: 7)

Malukas finished fifth Sunday for his third consecutive top-five finish of the season, including second- and fourth-place finishes at Milwaukee. That came after three straight finishes of 12th, 17th and 24th, respectively.

↓5. Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, Last Rank: 2)

O’Ward swept the Milwaukee weekend, scoring his second and third victories of the season. But he finished 11th in the season finale at Laguna Seca. O’Ward has been ranked in 48 of the 49 editions of the Power Rankings.

↓4. Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, Last Rank: 3)

Lundgaard finished sixth for his sixth consecutive top-10 finish to close out 2026, including five straight in the top six. He had 10 top-10 finishes in the final 11 races of the season. This is the seventh time in the last nine races Lundgaard has been ranked in the top five. He finished a career-best third in the championship standings.

↑3. Kyle Kirkwood (No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda, Last Rank: 4)

Kirkwood finished runner-up in the season finale for his third top-six finish in the final four races of the season, including his victory Aug. 23 on the streets of Washington. This is the 10th consecutive race Kirkwood has been ranked in the top five. Kirkwood finished a career-high second in the championship standings.

↑2. Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, Last Rank: 5)

McLaughlin ended 2026 with a fourth- and second-place finish, respectively, at Milwaukee Mile before winning at Laguna Seca. This is the 10th consecutive race McLaughlin has been ranked in the Power Rankings. He had six top-eight finishes in the final seven races of 2026. This is his highest ranking since being second following the season opener in St. Petersburg.

↔1. Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Lightning Bolt Honda, Last Rank: 1)

Palou earned his fifth series championship at Milwaukee Mile, including his fourth in a row, tying Sebastien Bourdais for the record for consecutive championships. He started second in Sunday’s 95-lap season finale, but with no points to chase, Palou’s team went off strategy. It didn’t work, and he finished eighth. Palou ended the season with three consecutive top-10 finishes.