M A R C U S E R I C S S O N
Interview} John Russo
Photographs by} John Russo
Produced by} Ken Waller for Photohouse Productions
Grooming} Sydney Sollod
Styling} Sydney Lopez
The 2022 INDY 500 Champion is in gear!
JR: When did you first know you wanted to be a race car driver? How did you execute this dream?
ME: From as early as I can remember, all I wanted to play with and loved was cars. So when I was big enough (8 years old) I kept asking my dad for a chance to try a gokart. He eventually let me have a go and I was hooked from then on. The next year my dad bought me my first Gokart and the rest is history.
JR: Tell us a bit about the car you are currently racing. Do you have a favorite track or event and why?
ME: I‘m racing in the NTT INDYCAR Series. My car is the number 28 Delaware Life Andretti Global Honda. It has around 650-700 horsepower and a top speed of 240+ MPH.
JR: What song pumps you up for a big race?
ME: I like punk rock and old-school rock for the most part before a race. Some bands I usually listen to are Millencolin, Offspring, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio.
JR: What advice would you give to kids that aspire to be like you?
ME: Dream big and work hard. Motorsport is not an easy profession but anything is possible.
JR: As with all motor sports, there is a level of danger. How do you manage your fear?
ME: I have respect for the dangers involved in what I do. But I know how much the safety of the drivers has improved in INDYCAR over the years. And how much the series focuses on always putting safety first. I never feel fear while driving but I also know the risks involved.
JR: Do you have any lucky charms or race-day superstitions?
ME: I decided early in my career to not have any. I was afraid the day I forgot something I would have a terrible race!
JR: If you were not a race car driver , what would you be? Are there other sports or professions that you would gravitate toward?
ME: I love hockey and was playing as a goalie until I was 16 years old. If I didn’t pursue my racing career I would definitely have tried to become a Pro Hockey player. I have several friends playing professionally and try to catch as much action in the NHL and in Sweden as I can when I’m not racing.
To learn more about Marcus Ericsson follow him @ericsson_marcus
To learn more about INDYCAR follow them @indycar