Rasmussen’s Points Lead

At one-point, Christian Rasmussen found himself 40 points down in the championship standings. Now, he’s 33 points up heading into Saturday’s Indy NXT race at the World Wide Technology Raceway. Can he stave off his competitors over the final four races?

Rasmussen won at Iowa last month and has a pair of wins in the last 3 races. His average finishing position since Mid-Ohio (4 races) is an astounding 2.75. It was 6.6 prior.

His lead has grown because Nolan Siegel has found a rough patch. Leaving Road America, the 18-year-old had 4 top 2 finishes in the opening 6 races. His average finish at that time was 4.5. Over the last 4, he’s fallen down to 3rd in points and really only two points clear of Jacob Abel for that spot even.

3 of his last 4 results have seen him finish 12th or worse. His average finish is 11.75 in that span. He spun late in Mid-Ohio. He wrecked late in Iowa. He was a non-factor on the IMS road course. Can he stop the slide?

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McElrea’s Charge

Due to Siegel’s drop off, it’s allowed Hunter McElrea to shine. He’s coming on hard and as the latest Indy NXT winner as he’s moved from 3rd in points to 2nd (-33) entering Saturday’s race on the 1.25-mile oval. The second-year driver was 5th in Iowa but has scored 3 podiums in the last 5 races. Not only that, McElrea has six consecutive top 5 finishes on the season and has a shot if he can continue winning and Rasmussen slips up.

A year ago, Rasmussen did. He finished 12th. McElrea was 5th. Another year like that and we have a new battle on our hands between these two drivers for the title.

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Jacob Abel’s 1st win?

Jacob Abel’s time is coming. After a pole and runner-up finish in Iowa, the Louisville native has three podiums and four top four finishes over the last five races. With another short oval ahead, can he pick up his maiden Indy NXT win?

He’s been second twice and third twice, all four instances this season alone.