Marcus Ericsson is as polite and professional as NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers come, but there was a moment following his victory last Sunday in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding that showed a fire burning within him. That all four of Ericsson’s wins have come in races that have been red-flagged likely is just a coincidence, the veteran of five Formula One seasons said. Ericsson is one race into his fifth season, and this begins his fourth season with Chip Ganassi Racing, one of the top teams in the sport. Last year, Ericsson remained in championship contention until the season finale despite having an overall qualifying average of 11.6, and his career series average is 12.8. Do that and Ericsson will have to “defend” his standing less. “Since Marcus won at Indianapolis last year, he’s stepped it up a lot, OK?” Ganassi said. He has finished sixth each of the past two seasons and already has a race win this season. Ericsson is driven to continue his rise in this sport.

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