Will Power found the transition relatively smooth going in his first test of KV's Dallara-Honda. (Shawn Payne/IRL photo) » More Photos

Because of their teams, IRL experience and versatility, veterans like Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves will be the most difficult to beat and loom as co-favorites for the '08 championship. Dixon came within two corners of capturing last year's crown for Chip Ganassi before running out of fuel and he's more motivated than ever.

"I think of how it ended up last year, that was a tough one to get over because we were sooooo close," said the 2003 IRL champ who scored four wins in 2007. "Being the runner-up the past two years makes me more determined and more aggressive but I know it won't be easy."

Nobody won more races (five) than Kanaan last season but four bad results cost him a chance at a second championship for AGR.

"A lot of things have to fall right to win a championship, as we saw last year," said the 2004 IRL king. "We won the most races but didn't win the title so all I can do is try to improve on that this year. It's going to be different without having Dario (Franchitti) as my wingman, but this is still a very good team."

Despite his success at Indianapolis (back-to-back wins in 2001-2002) Castroneves is still looking for his initial championship.

"We won seven pole positions last year but only one race and obviously we need to turn those numbers around," said the 32-year-old Brazilian. "My goals are to win that first championship and my third Indy 500."

The next wave of contenders is led by Dan Wheldon, Marco Andretti and Ryan Briscoe. After winning two of the first four races in '07, Wheldon went into a funk and never recovered, finishing fourth in the points. It's the 2005 IRL champ's final year of his contract with Ganassi so expect him to be motivated. Andretti's sophomore season was forgettable for the most part but his road racing prowess should make him a factor. Briscoe, whose initial IRL campaign in 2005 was pretty much a disaster, has worked his way back into one of the elite teams after shining on Penske's ALMS squad in 2007.

Of course, Danica Patrick merits attention because she drove her best in three seasons at Milwaukee, Texas, Mid-Ohio and Detroit. Her confidence, like her finishing positions, is higher but she's a longshot in the chase along with Ryan Hunter-Reay, who resurrected his career and Bobby Rahal's team a year ago with some excellent runs.

But, unless Power or Wilson or Rahal steal one on the road courses, don't expect anybody but the Big 3 to visit victory lane again in 2008.