Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing says that the team worked extremely hard over the off-season of 2022 to ensure that they were fighting for wins on the drop of the green flag at the opening race of the season in St Pete which the Swede won.
Speaking to Paddock Eye on Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of this weekend’s GMR Grand Prix, Ericsson is leading the championship by three points from Pato O’Ward said:
I think it’s a mix of a few things. We worked hard in the off-season to improve on our already strong 2022. I think us as a team, the whole Chip Ganassi Racing organization, I feel like we try to improve the cars and just be better again, and that’s the cool thing with Chip Ganassi Racing, they never stop, they always want more, always want to be better, so I feel like we’ve taken some steps there. I feel like me on a personal side, I always try and work on myself and be better every year, and I feel like I’ve taken some steps as a driver. So, I think it’s a combination of things that’s made us start very strong.
The Swede went on to say:
“I’m really excited for the GMR Grand Prix. The Month of May has officially started and to come as the defending Indianapolis 500 champions and the championship leader in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES feels amazing. This road course race is an important one. You’re bringing that momentum to the speedway and we’re feeling good. We had some good stuff that we tried over the winter that should make us stronger at this type of track. I’m really looking forward to it, though the weather might also play a factor from the forecast. Really excited to be back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and be racing in Indianapolis.”