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Verizon IndyCar Series standings after Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

By Brittany Frederick

BIRMINGHAM, AL - APRIL 22: Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport Honda (27) during the 9th annual Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 21, 2018, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL - APRIL 22: Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport Honda (27) during the 9th annual Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 21, 2018, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The 2018 IndyCar season has a new championship leader. Here are the Verizon IndyCar Series standings following the Grand Prix of Alabama.

Josef Newgarden’s win in the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama also vaulted him back to the top of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series standings.

The defending IndyCar champion, Newgarden had lost the points lead to Alexander Rossi after the Andretti Autosport driver won last week’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. But Monday’s victory, and sweeping an additional four bonus points, allowed the Team Penske star to climb back up to the top spot. Rossi is now 13 points behind going into next month’s Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Other notable moves in the Verizon IndyCar Series standings this week include James Hinchcliffe breaking into the Top 5 after a very revealing interview with NBCSN, while former champions Ryan Hunter-Reay and Scott Dixon are lurking just outside in sixth and seventh place respectively.

Meanwhile, even though he couldn’t finish the race on Monday, Josef Newgarden’s teammate Will Power gained some valuable points by going back out on track after having his car hydroplane. He was able to hold onto his 10th place spot and is within striking distance of ninth-place Marco Andretti.

There are still some ties in the rankings after four races. Ed Jones and Jones’ predecessor Tony Kanaan are locked in a tie for 11th place, while Graham Rahal and a very disappointed Sebastien Bourdais are similarly dead even for third with 119 points apiece. The 2018 IndyCar season is still anyone’s game, though Newgarden and Rossi have a substantial edge as we approach the double points of the 102nd Indianapolis 500.

Below are the updated Verizon IndyCar Series standings after the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama:

1 – Josef Newgarden – 158 pts
2 – Alexander Rossi – 145 pts
3 – Sebastien Bourdais – 119 pts
3 – Graham Rahal – 119 pts
5 – James Hinchcliffe – 118 pts
6 – Ryan Hunter-Reay – 113 pts
7 – Scott Dixon – 107 pts
8 – Robert Wickens – 97 pts
9 – Marco Andretti – 88 pts
10 – Will Power – 81 pts
11 – Ed Jones – 79 pts
11 – Tony Kanaan – 79 pts
13 – Zach Veach – 77 pts
14 – Takuma Sato – 70 pts
15 – Simon Pagenaud – 66 pts
16 – Spencer Pigot – 61 pts
17 – Gabby Chaves – 55 pts
18 – Matheus Leist – 51 pts
19 – Charlie Kimball – 50 pts
20 – Max Chilton – 44 pts
21 – Jordan King – 38 pts
22 – Zachary Claman De Melo – 31 pts
23 – Ed Carpenter – 26 pts

Next: Complete Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama results

For complete coverage of the 2018 IndyCar season, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided.