How the 2015 IndyCar title can be won
Six drivers are in contention for the 2015 IndyCar title in Sunday's double-points Sonoma decider, but Juan Pablo Montoya could be tough to beat - as MARK GLENDENNING explains
IndyCar is awarding double-points for this weekend's season-finale at Sonoma, but even with the extra points on offer, the hopes of most of the six remaining contenders will be dependant upon Montoya encountering problems in the race.
Graham Rahal's DNF at Pocono last weekend gave Montoya a 34-point lead going into the weekend, which means that a solid performance by the Colombian on Sunday will be enough to eliminate all but his closest rivals.
Here's how the permutations break down for each of the contenders:
Juan Pablo Montoya wins the championship if: he finishes third or higher.
Graham Rahal wins the championship if: he wins the race, and Montoya finishes no higher than fourth. If Montoya is classified last, Rahal needs to finish eighth or better. If Rahal claims second or third, he needs Montoya to be no better than ninth or 13th respectively.
Scott Dixon will win the championship if: he wins the race and Montoya finishes no higher than seventh. Mathematically, the Kiwi can win with a third place, but he would be dependent upon Montoya finishing 18th or worse.
Will Power will win the championship if: he wins the race, and his Penske team-mate Montoya is no higher than 11th. If the reigning champion finishes second, he needs Montoya to be mired down in 21st or worse.
Helio Castroneves will win the championship if: he wins the race, and Montoya is classified no higher than 18th.
Josef Newgarden will win the championship if: he wins the race, Montoya is no higher than 24th, Rahal is no higher than ninth, Dixon is no higher than sixth, Power no better than third, and Rahal no better than second.
Scoring system for Sonoma: 100-80-70-64-60-56-52-48-44-40-38-36-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10 for 1st to 25th in the classification. Drivers who retire still score.
Bonus points: 1 for leading a lap, 2 for most laps led
Follow the IndyCar title decider as it happens with AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live from 9.45pm UK time on Sunday night
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