Chip Ganassi Racing had a fantastic start to the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season at the opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday with Marcus Ericsson claiming his fourth career victory in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Honda having started the race from fourth place the Swede who is the defending Indianapolis 500 winner took advantage of a problem for Pato O’Ward to take the lead of the race in the closing laps to win the race.

Speaking following the race, Ericsson commented saying:

We’ve had such a good weekend, the car has been fantastic all the way through, and the Honda was super strong all weekend. I’m really proud of the way Chip Ganassi Racing has started out this season. We’re here to win the championship. We won the 500 last year and we were leading the championship for a long time. So that’s our mission this year, and this is a good start.”

Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda said following the race that the No.9 Honda was probably the best car that he has had at the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg as he came home in third place having started the event from ninth place. Speaking following the race, the Iceman commented saying:

t was a great day for all of us at Chip Ganassi Racing – and obviously tremendous for [race winner] Marcus [Ericsson]. We had a great car all weekend, all credit to our team. It was great today to get the driveability and tuneability out of the Honda, plus the fuel mileage was fantastic, so it was easy to get what we needed, which gave us all the pit strategy options we needed.”

David Salters President and Technical Director of Honda Performance Development commented saying:

Pole on Saturday and race win on Sunday, that’s a pretty good weekend! Well done to the marvelous women and men at HPD for all their hard work, as well as everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing. The teamwork paid off. It been a busy off-season and it’s nice to see everyone’s efforts rewarded.

“I would also like to note the standout work from INDYCAR, Shell, Firestone and both engine manufacturers on sustainability – particularly with the renewable fuel and guayule tires. We really are leading the motorsports world in terms of sustainability.”

 

 

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