EDMONTON, Alberta –  IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard says the series has shown this season it has some of the best drivers in the world, and an American winning the championship would be an added bonus.

Ryan Hunter-Reay entered Sunday's race at Edmonton as the first American to lead the series standings since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006. Bernard acknowledged Sunday an American champion gives the series more marketing possibilities.

But Bernard says the entire field is full of promotable and talented drivers. He cites the tight on-track competition as proof how strong the current driver field has been this season.

Bernard wants IndyCar to be known as the series with the most talented and versatile drivers in the world, and believes this year's field is achieving that goal.