Alexander Rossi at home in IndyCar while chasing championship

SONOMA, Calif. -- It was just assumed that Alexander Rossi didn't want to be an IndyCar driver when he joined the series. His career had been aimed at making it in Formula One, and when that didn't come together, IndyCar was the only thing left.

So he became the villain, which doesn't at all fit Rossi.

"I don't think perception was accurate or fair," Rossi said about his IndyCar arrival. "That's not who I am. I am a very introverted person and that's not the personality one needs to have to be a villain."

In his third season now in IndyCar, Rossi has proved he does indeed want to be part of the series and perhaps may become its next champion.

Rossi trails four-time series champion Scott Dixon…