Chip Ganassi Racing heads into May’s action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway eager to go back-to-back with Indianapolis 500 victories. Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Honda is the defending Indianapolis 500 winner, having taken victory here last season ahead of Pato O’Ward and his former teammate Tony Kanaan.
Ericsson had a great start to the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season as he took victory in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg in March.
Looking ahead to the Indianapolis 500, Ericsson said:
“The Month of May is here and I can’t wait for everything honestly. It’s going to be amazing and I’m looking forward to be here competing as the defending champion. It’s an exciting month ahead. Let’s do it.”
Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda, who dominated the race here last season, having led the race from the pole, is looking to bounce back from a tough start to the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Speaking ahead of the action, which gets underway on Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he commented saying:
“Really looking forward to the 500, as always with the Month of May. We’re going to try and go out to get some redemption from last year. I hope that our cars are as fast as they always are with Ganassi here for the 500. I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as possible and get after this race and see what lies ahead.”
Takuma Sato in the No.11 Deloitte Honda will make his first Chip Ganassi Racing Indianapolis 500 start and has won The Greatest Spectacle In Racing twice, in 2017 with Andretti Autosport while he also took victory here in 2021 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and looking ahead of the race this year he commented saying:
“I’m extremely excited to finally unveil the No. 11 Deloitte-sponsored Indianapolis 500 car for Chip Ganassi Racing. I am so grateful to Deloitte for continuously supporting our program as a technical partner and the title sponsor. Our goal is very clear and the team’s preparation for May is just simply impressive. I am looking forward to being back in the car, working with the engineers, crews and my teammates for practice sessions starting tomorrow.”
Alex Palou, driver of the No.10 The American Legion Honda heads into May with momentum on his side having taken victory in the GMR Grand Prix of Indianapolis last time out which moved him to the top of the standings.
“I’m feeling pretty good for the Indianapolis 500. We’ve been really fast the past two years. I think we just need to try to get the strategy right, get more confident in traffic and just get a clean day. We have the championship lead, which feels amazing, and we need to keep it and go for the Indianapolis 500, as well.”