Chip Ganassi Racing had a great start to the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season a the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday as defending Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Honda scored his fourth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win having started the race from fourth place and speaking following the action the Swede commented saying:
“I’m really happy with our results and our performance. I think it shows all the hard work we put in this offseason as a team. For myself, I’ve been focusing a lot on qualifying, trying to be better there and improve our qualifying form and this is a great start to that and to the season. I’m really happy, grateful and looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda started the race from ninth place on the grid and said after the race that he felt that the No.9 crew had the best car they have had at St Pete in several years and it showed on Sunday as the Iceman came home in third place and speaking following the race he commented saying:
“Defintely a wild race and glad everybody’s okay. I think how the cautions fell played to us until the untimely one where we clearly would have got the lead and I think it would have been smooth sailing. Third place finish is fantastic here considering how the day was. Huge credit to the team and congrats to Marcus, they did a hell of a job. We’ll take the points and move on to Texas.”
Alex Palou in the No.10 The American Legion Honda started the race from seventh place and came home in eighth place and speaking following the race he commented saying:
“Race done here in St. Pete. It was a tough day for us. Very frustrating. We tried some different stuff on strategies but did a couple of mistakes and it cost us quite a lot. Finished P8. Won the race with Marcus and another podium with Scott so big day for the team. The car was fast so we just need to get together again get ready for Texas and we’re in the fight. It’s going to be a great season for sure.”
Rookie Marcus Armstrong in the No.11 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda started his maiden NTT INDYCAR SERIES race from 13th place and came home in P11 following a strong performance all race long for the young New Zealander and speaking following the action he commented saying:
“That was a good one considering what happened at the beginning when someone tried to do us and basically gave us a puncture. From then on it was always an uphill battle. The boys did a really good job, we had really good pace, and we got some decent points. First race under my belt, it was pretty crazy. There was a lot of crashing, a lot of chaos. Just trying to keep my nose clean after that initial hit with Malukas. It was a pleasure, the car was mega as you can see with Marcus and Scott. That will be us soon.”
Next up for Chip Ganassi Racing is the PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 2 where two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato will be in the No.11 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda. Paddock Eye understands that the Japanese driver has been signed up for just two races this season in Texas and the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge while it has been widely reported that Ganassi are keen to give Armstrong a run on an oval.