Chip Ganassi Racing’s four-time IndyCar title winner, who is currently third in the points table and could finish in the top three for the 10th straight season, said that he expects 2014 champion Power to have a pace advantage around Sonoma Raceway, but pointed out that Pagenaud has been “rock solid” in a variety of circumstances in 2016.

He said: “You've just got to go for it. You've got to race it like any other race. But it's hard.

“I think all of us fall victim to racing for a championship as opposed to just doing what we need to do. I think in the past this team has done a very good job with the championships that we've… not so much stolen but taken last minute, with Dario [Franchitti's] record and some of mine, as well.

“You know, it's definitely a very emotional ride going into it, and Will has been in a lot more battles for the championship than Simon has. But then also Will took a pretty big hit [at Watkins Glen] as far as points.

“We'll have to see how that team handles it. I think Roger [Penske] will be very happy that the championship lies with that team and they can fight it out. He's going to be a happy man either way.”

Dixon has won the last two races at Sonoma, last year’s victory allowing him to beat Penske’s Juan Pablo Montoya to the championship on a tie-breaker. But the Ganassi driver still feels Team Penske retains the edge around the 2.238-mile road course in Sonoma County, Calif. – although he was still not prepared to call which driver will emerge triumphant in either race or championship come Sunday afternoon.

“It's somewhat a Penske-dominant track, or has been at least for qualifying [although] we've had a good run there recently with the race victories," he said.

“I think Simon has done a phenomenal job this year, especially early on in the season. Will… I don't even know how many poles the guy has had at that place [five in the last six years]. It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out.

“Going into the race I would say that Will has maybe a stronger situation as far as speed in qualifying, but the race can throw so many different variables, and Simon has just been rock solid in so many different situations this year. I think we could see that, especially at Mid-Ohio, where Will got the advantage in the pit stop exchange but Simon was able to work it back out.

“It's going to be a good battle to watch. I just hope I'm in front of them…”