IndyCar Heads To St. Petersburg To Start 2026 Season With Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly forty years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN SportsTicker, Sports Illustrated, AutoWeek, and SpeedSport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy as we continue our sixth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. Pit Pass Indy was at IndyCar Content Days in Indianapolis a few weeks ago gathering interviews leading into the start of the NTT IndyCar Series season. On this episode, we hear from some of the drivers that took part, including four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Pillow, six-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin, Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Erickson. The start of the twenty-twenty-six NTT IndyCar Series season is this weekend, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, February twenty-seventh to March first. The season is going to start similar to the way the twenty twenty five IndyCar Series season ended, with drivers in the paddock trying to find a way to stop Alex Pillow. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver won his third straight IndyCar Series championship by winning eight of the seventeen races in twenty twenty five, including the one hundred and ninth Indianapolis five hundred. It was Pillow's fourth overall championship since joining Chip Ganassi Racing in twenty twenty one. I caught up with Palo for this very short Pit Pass Indy exclusive interview while in Indianapolis for IndyCar Content Days. So for the first time in twenty twenty six, I get to say hello, Alex. Hello, Bruce. So here we are in cold and snowy Indianapolis for IndyCar Content Days. Pretty cold. You live in Indianapolis now. You're from Barcelona. But how long has it been since you've been in negative, minus below zero weather?

Alex Palou:

It's been a crazy week. And the worst part is that there's a crazy cold week in front of us as well waiting for us. But I mean, I'm not used to this, although I've been here for the past five years living. This is probably one of the worst weathers that I've been part of. But at the same time, It's quite fun. I've been playing a lot in the snow with my daughter outside. It's been only for short periods of time, but yeah, it is what it is. We need to survive.

Bruce Martin:

But with the temperatures being below zero, this isn't the type of snow where you can build a snowman. It's really dusty snow. It doesn't make a good snowball. It doesn't really make much of a good anything other than gets you frozen. But the season's going to heat up here as the season gets ready to begin. We're going to be in Phoenix in a couple of weeks. Your attitude about going to Phoenix, a short oval, and starting the season?

Alex Palou:

I'm very excited. I'm excited that we started shipping testing Phoenix. We have warm weathers waiting for us, but I'm excited to get going. I think it's been a long off-season season. And every time that you're out of the car, you feel like you just want to be there, that you just want to be back behind the racing wheel. And yeah, I'm excited for Phoenix as well. I've never been there, but I've seen the races that NASCAR has been able to put there and it's been a great show. So I'm excited to go there.

Bruce Martin:

In our last question with Alex Polo, because I know there's a lot of demands on your time, but you're the champion, four-time champion. A lot of people are coming for you in twenty twenty six. Is that something that motivates you to know that you're the guy that everybody wants to knock off?

Alex Palou:

Yeah, I mean, absolutely. I think that's one of the best feelings ever. That's a feeling that you, as a racing driver, you want the most. You just want to be feeling like you've achieved so much the previous season that you're the reigning champion. So it just motivates me. It gives me fuel. It's a good kind of pressure to have. And I cannot wait to hopefully do it again at the end of twenty twenty six.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Alex Flo, I'm going to let you go. Good luck in twenty twenty six. We'll catch up in a few weeks. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Alex Palou:

Thank you, Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

Pillow has four IndyCar Series championships in the last five seasons, but that isn't the most IndyCar titles of any driver at Chip Ganassi Racing. Teammate Scott Dixon has six NTT IndyCar Series championships in a career that began in two thousand and one. Dixon also has fifty nine IndyCar victories. Both his championship total and victory total are second in IndyCar history. A.J. Foyt's seven championships and sixty-seven victories are tops in both categories. Dixon was recently knighted by his native New Zealand and joins me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. For the first time, I can introduce our next guest as Sir Scott Dixon. He was knighted in New Zealand. Ceremony hasn't happened yet, but he's gotten the word that he will be a knight in his homeland of New Zealand. How surprised were you to get that honor?

Scott Dixon:

Yeah, huge, huge honor. Unexpected and, yeah, I don't know, kind of wild. Not something I don't think I would have ever dreamt about. So, no, it's huge for my family, myself, and everybody that was along for this journey so far. So, yeah, kind of wild, man.

Bruce Martin:

Well, I know that it's important to the people of New Zealand, although you said in a lot of ways motorsports gets overlooked in New Zealand. But certainly the country thinks enough of what your accomplishments are as perhaps the greatest IndyCar Series driver, certainly of the current era, that the people of that country see such pride in what you've been able to do for them.

Scott Dixon:

Yeah, as I said, I think it was a huge thing for motorsports in general and just the recognition. New Zealand is motorsport rich, I think, especially with history and still with great categories that they have down there now. But, you know, the biggest sports of, you know, rugby, cricket, sailing, you know, the Olympics along that, you know, kind of wavelength has, you know, been honored, you know, maybe more. But, you know, also I guess there hasn't been that many drivers going through. So, you know, I think it was great for the people that have been involved in that, you know, journey with me and what has helped, you know, many others I think throughout, you know, my career and obviously the new and up and comers too now. So, yeah. Yeah, pretty cool.

Bruce Martin:

Has Dario Franchitti been knighted?

Scott Dixon:

Dario is a MBE. Yeah, so it goes MBE, CBE, then knighthood.

Bruce Martin:

You outrank Dario when it comes to knighthood.

Scott Dixon:

I've always outranked Dario.

Bruce Martin:

Well, of course you have.

Scott Dixon:

No, I'm joking. I'm joking. Yeah, no, it's – yeah, he sent a funny voice – well, actually video, you know, once I had the acceptance. So, yeah, pretty unique. But, yes, you know, he's the only one that's going to have to, you know, call me sir.

Bruce Martin:

Getting back to racing, you have a chance this year to get into some pretty high – Areas of IndyCar history, if you win the championship, it'll be your seventh. We talk about that a lot. You win the Indianapolis five hundred, you'll finally be able to get your second. At least you got one. Yeah. But from looking at your career on the track at the Indianapolis five hundred, it's among the very best ever. So you've still got the fire to go out there and compete again. As long as you have that fire, are you going to keep doing this?

Scott Dixon:

Yeah, absolutely. I love it. Fire is one thing, but then I enjoy it. That's the other thing. So for me, the combination of the two, the fire burns really strong. So definitely looking forward to getting going and getting started. Last year, I think we had quite a few disappointments, maybe mistakes and just details that we could have done things a little bit better. So I'm excited to try and turn those parts around, do a better job and hopefully be fighting for another championship.

Bruce Martin:

Well, you certainly have not dropped off any in your ability to perform, which really is one reason why, as long as you got it, keep going.

Scott Dixon:

Yeah, it's true. But again, I think it comes back to whether you're happy doing it. And I still love it. I love the sport. I'm very lucky to be in this situation. I want to make the most of it for sure. Yeah, I guess, you know, Power and myself are still trucking on, which is great to see. Obviously, a big shift for him this year, moving from Penske to Andretti and manufacturers and all that kind of stuff too. But no, like I remember years ago when he was like, oh, I think I'm going to retire. And I'm like, why? What are you going to do, man? don't you love driving? And he's like, yeah, I actually really love driving. I'm like, well, then you need to keep doing it. So it's good to see him still having a crack at it. And hopefully one of us can still fly the flag for some of the older gentlemen out here.

Bruce Martin:

As a competitor, is angry willpower the best willpower?

Scott Dixon:

I don't know. I think willpower is a fast willpower. There's no doubt about that. I don't think he has to be angry or not angry to be good.

Bruce Martin:

You're certainly good whether you're determined, whether you're happy, whether you're motivated, whether you're angry. I don't see angry that often, but it does happen. Is that the reason why you're so good at what you do is because you've kept this level-headed approach throughout your life?

Scott Dixon:

I think it helps me but everybody's unique you know I think and you got to go with what works for you you know but more importantly I think it's about the people around you whether it's you know Emma or my family or you know my mum and dad when it all started to you know people that helped me along the way to the team that I work with now you know I definitely work with an exceptional group of people you know to have Chip and Mike you know lead that ship and steer it you know I've been very lucky to be a part of this team so Yeah, it's all about the people, man. That's what really matters and what really, I think, puts you in a good situation.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Sir Scott Dixon, I have to address you differently now.

Scott Dixon:

No, no, never, never.

Bruce Martin:

It's always been an honor and a privilege to interview you. We've known each other for about as long as you've been racing. That's right, that's right. Except you've stayed in much better shape than I have. But anyway, hey, good luck in the NTT IndyCar Series season, and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Scott Dixon:

Thanks, man. Cheers. Cheers.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break. Next up is an exclusive interview with Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin. Last season was a disappointment for the driver from Christchurch, New Zealand, but it has lit a fire under the driver to inspire him to greater things in twenty twenty six. Time to catch up with an old friend. It's Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. Here we are at IndyCar Content Days, which usually means the start of the season is not too far away. You're going to be in Phoenix next month for the first open test. You've got to have a lot of excitement going to a new oval. That's probably a track you've never been to before. How excited are you about that?

Scott McLaughlin:

Been to, but never raced on it, so I'm very excited. Yeah, great to be back, Bruce. It's always exciting. you know good to be here and good to get the season started you know always exciting seeing all the new stuff fresh faces and um you know fox is doing an amazing job with all this stuff too so it's exciting and um yeah phoenix is going to be a great test for us just to enjoy it and and learn and um yeah first time on the track for me there so excited to see how it goes

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar content days has to be about as grueling as competing in the Rolex . You get here at the crack of dawn and we're still here at six o'clock at night talking about IndyCar. Are you talked out?

Scott McLaughlin:

No, I mean, you're cooped up for so long and then all of a sudden you're just thrown a billion things at you. It's part of it and it's great because they knock it out and they get it done and we're done for the year in some ways with all this stuff. It's a good way to do it and I'm happy to be here.

Bruce Martin:

Well, considering I live in Mooresville, North Carolina, and T. Penske is based in North Carolina, and I try to get to as many of the IndyCar Series races as possible, made it to all of them last year. Unfortunately, you're going to have me to put up with for other interviews like this throughout the year. I asked you in the formal interview session about rising in the hierarchy of the drivers, because before, you were the new guy, even though you had joined the team, I believe, in But Will Power, who had been an old pro, was obviously the elder statesman. Then you had Joseph Newgarden, then Scott McLaughlin. With Will gone, now Joseph's the most tenured driver, followed by you. And then you got this kid, David Maloukas, joining you. And I already see where there's a little bit of excitement having a new guy around. Are you going to treat him like a little brother?

Scott McLaughlin:

No. No, I mean, we've got to treat him like a guy that can come in and win races and help our team. But, you know, look, David, he's been really working hard and he's got a lot of respect from me for how hard he's been working and putting on him behind the scenes. So I have enjoyed working with him lately. You know, it's not that I didn't expect anything different, but it's definitely probably exceeded my expectations. I'm so used to the effort that Will puts in and Ultimately, David's put in just as much. So, yeah, cool to have a bit of a refresh, and I'm excited to work with the driving group.

Bruce Martin:

After the very difficult season that Team Penske had last year, When you see the very first race of the season with Roger Penske and Porsche Penske Motorsport in Victory Lane at the Rolex XXIV, did you think to yourself, that might be a good sign for the rest of us that we're going to have a good year in twenty twenty six?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, they did it last year too, right? And you sort of, you know, you hope that you can, but look, that's a well-oiled machine over there. And, you know, a fantastic job by Porsche Penske Motorsport to get that win and that three-peat, history-making three-peat. But, you know, I think we've got all the ingredients to do very well and improve on last year. And I think that's the expectation. but you can't rest on your laurels in this sport. It's so tough. It's so competitive. So you've just got to try and, you know, we'll just start all our I's, cross our T's, and hope we've done enough. But, you know, it's not with a lack of trying. Without a lack of trying, we're working hard. I've been putting a lot of effort in fitness-wise and also, you know, just with my team, and I feel really comfortable going into the year.

Bruce Martin:

Sometimes in IndyCar, you're going to have years like you had last year at Team Penske, and... Other drivers like Alex Palou are going to have years like he had at Chip Ganassi Racing, where he won eight of seventeen races. But it's a new year. None of that matters now. It could be Team Penske that could have a very good year. So how upbeat are you about that?

Scott McLaughlin:

No, very upbeat. I mean, I think we showed some really good form towards the end of the year. And I thought we put all our pieces in the places that they needed to be personnel wise. And I'm really confident with this group. confident with the driving group the engineering group and and the management um that we can move forward and um yeah look i'm coming on my sixth season now this is a um for me i just want to get going and and make it happen the week after the phoenix race the season is going to start in st pete of course then that's followed by the phoenix race and then after that will be the grand prix of arlington

Bruce Martin:

excitement is built around that track. It goes around AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play, Globe Life Field where Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers play. Is that race already what you would consider to be a centerpiece race for IndyCar?

Scott McLaughlin:

I think it's turning out that way for sure. And I think along with that is also the Markham race in Canada, Toronto there. So, yeah, the way that they're building the track, the infrastructure, how much, you know, Jerry Jones is putting into the promotion of the event along with the Cowboys and the Rangers is pretty awesome. It's cool to be a part of. And obviously Fox is a big part of that too. So, yeah, look, it's America's team and we're trying to be America's series. And this is, you know, a great step forward for that. And I think it's going to be a spectacle.

Bruce Martin:

Speaking of America's team and spectacles, IndyCar confirmed that they are in discussions with the Department of Transportation for the America to fifty celebration, a race in the National Mall area of Washington, D.C., which would be a spectacular backdrop. How huge would that be to be able to participate in that race?

Scott McLaughlin:

It would be amazing. I mean, I think to have another new track on the schedule would be pretty awesome too. I can only imagine to celebrate the year of America to do that would be incredible. But, you know, I think there's a lot of water to go under the bridge. We've got the right people working on it and I think it would be such a good event for IndyCar and to build us nationally and even worldwide. It's very, very cool and I'm just glad I'm a part of this era, you know, where there's almost like nothing is untouchable, you know, and that's a testament to Penske Entertainment and what they're able to provide to, you know, cities and places around the world.

Bruce Martin:

An event like that would probably generate a huge TV rating, which is exactly what IndyCar needs. And when you think about it, this opportunity didn't go to Formula One, this opportunity didn't go to NASCAR, this opportunity went to IndyCar. And that has to really be something that the series and its drivers can be proud of.

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, for sure. I think it's a testament to how hard we've been working behind the scenes to improve, I guess, you know, ratings and along with Fox as well to really improve that and I'm just very excited about the partnership between everyone that's involved in IndyCar and like I said, the people that are running it because it's almost like I said, there's nothing that feels untouchable. You raise something, it's either a yes or a no or maybe we could try and do that and that's something that's really cool. And like I said, I'm part of an era in IndyCar where I just feel like it's just getting bigger and bigger and bigger and it's cool to be a part of.

Bruce Martin:

When you look back at twenty twenty five, even though you may not want to and dissect how the season went, were you able to come up with where a lot of things may have gone wrong for you?

Scott McLaughlin:

You have to look back on it. You have to turn negatives into positives. There's a lot of good, but there's probably more bad. You know, I think there's just more on an execution level. And from myself and the team, those curveballs run us midway through the year as well. I think once we sort of got all that in place, Internally, I thought the vibe was really good. It was just a matter I felt like we maybe fell behind a little bit in terms of just development and stuff because we're so focused on other things and getting the team organized. So now having six months under our belt to really like nail down a few things, I think it's, you know, I think with Jonathan Duguid, Travis Law, Robbie Atkinson, Ben Bretzman, my old engineer working really hard from a management perspective and along with Roger and Bud. And Jonathan, it's really, really exciting for me. I just really think there's a lot of excitement in the building to go well. It's not going to be a given, but I know that it's not going to be without working hard, and that's what we need to do.

Bruce Martin:

Well, it's a chance for a new beginning. Turn the page to a new year so everybody starts off the same, which means you have a tremendous chance to win the championship this year. Obviously, the driver that everybody's going to have to beat to get there is Alex Palou. And what's it going to take to be able to minimize his excellence on the track?

Scott McLaughlin:

Look, he was executed and he was doing what he needed to do to win races. And that was a lot of it was due to raw speed. And we need to find more of that. But at the same time, when he gets to the front, he executes and he wins the races that he needs to win. And if there's bad days, he'll make his bad days not very that bad. So, yeah, we need more of that. But if we have more speed, it's going to make everything easier.

Bruce Martin:

You may be from New Zealand, but you're a big NFL fan, and the Carolina Panthers made the NFL playoffs this year. How excited were you with that? How many games did you get?

Scott McLaughlin:

I got to a couple games. I went to the playoff game against the Rams, which was super exciting. But, yeah, I picked the Patriots to win the Super Bowl in probably mid-November, so I think that's been my pick for a long time, and I think they could go all the way.

Bruce Martin:

But, of course, we're in Indianapolis, the capital city of the state of Indiana. This interview is being done by an Indiana University graduate. Yeah. And they won the college football national championship. Crazy. Was that something you followed? Were you excited to see that happen?

Scott McLaughlin:

What did you think of that whole scene? The thing is... Being from New Zealand, I'm probably not as passionate about college yet because I haven't been to college, right? I'm a Badger. I just chose them as my team. But I think if Lucy, my firstborn daughter, goes to a college like IU or something like that, I'll be a massive IU fan from that point. But I enjoy watching the football and how passionate people are about it. But I don't... I probably care more about the pros than I do college football. But it's amazing to see a team that really was the underdog for so many years or really didn't have a football team come out and just be the national champs and win basically, what, eight straight. So it's pretty amazing, and it was cool to watch.

Bruce Martin:

But as a competitor... You can always learn from coaches and other sports. What did you think of the incredible job that Kurt Cignetti did just keeping that team laser focused and to be able to accomplish its goal?

Scott McLaughlin:

I think he's just got a huge amount of self-belief and self-belief in himself. And then that instills that in the people around him and the players. I think he builds an amazing program. And I think that's honestly, it feels like Jonathan Duguard is doing an amazing job at that right now. And I'm excited for the future of Penske here in IndyCar.

Bruce Martin:

I don't know if you watched the National Championship game or not, but the quarterback of Indiana University, Fernando Mendoza, that fourth and five touchdown where he was not going to be denied, he dove over the goal line with stretching the football out and taking hit after hit. That really shows you the will to win that a lot of athletes have. How much did you admire just seeing that from a competitor in a different sport?

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, no, I think it's a testament to guys that run into two hundred and fifty pound dudes and just take a hit. Those are the small ones. Yeah, you know, and that's it's incredible. And, you know, he's honestly he's a pretty he looks like he's a very stand up kid and very, I guess, respectable. And it's just cool to see someone that's so good.

Bruce Martin:

be so successful like that so um yeah you take a lot of pride in watching someone like that be succeed succeed it's very easy to watch someone succeed like that and yeah really really enjoyed seeing that well scott mclaughlin try to stay warm it's very cold here in indianapolis and it's pretty cold north carolina too yeah but i know you're going to bring the heat in twenty twenty six good luck during the indycar series season and thank you for joining us today on pit pass thank you bruce appreciate it Kyle Kirkwood had the best season of his IndyCar Series career with three wins and a fourth place finish in the NTT IndyCar Series Championship. But in a racer's world, anything short of a championship is a bit of a disappointment. Kirkwood joins me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview to explain what he needs to do better to challenge for the championship in twenty twenty six. Fresh from the sunshine state, here we are to cold and brutal, snowy, icy Indianapolis. It's Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global. Kyle, you just said earlier, this is the coldest you've ever been.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Is that true? This is the coldest weather I've ever been in. It's not the coldest I've ever been, like myself, because I'm actually staying out of the outside. But yeah, I've never, I don't see single digit numbers very often.

Bruce Martin:

Well, if they had single-digit numbers in Jupiter, Florida, I think that would be the sign of a second ice age coming.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Yeah.

Bruce Martin:

Speaking of ice ages, you're going to melt the ice this year in the number twenty-seven. You're going to go out there and have another great year. What's your... excitement level heading into the twenty twenty six NTT IndyCar Series?

Kyle Kirkwood:

Extreme excitement, right? With the addition of a couple of new people, some some development in a new race shop, new people around, new equipment to play with. It's it's all cool. And we really look forward to getting back on track here in a short few weeks.

Bruce Martin:

You brought up a good point earlier about consistency because you won three races, but it was the other races that really cost you a shot of challenging for the championship. From that standpoint, what do you see as being the reasons why you weren't able to have more podium finishes?

Kyle Kirkwood:

You know, a lot of it's pace, right? I think some places we just got stuck in the middle of the pack and then just kind of couldn't make our way forward. Sometimes we were fast enough and we just didn't get it done, myself included. But yeah, we just need to clean that up a little bit for this coming season. If we can do that, we'll be right in a championship pond because we were close without having that, you know? So we just need to keep those wins, get some podiums, stay in the top five and continue that throughout the season.

Bruce Martin:

New driver lineup at Andretti Global. You have Will Power, a huge IndyCar legend, joining the team. Colton Hurt is off to Formula Two with the hopes of getting into Formula One here soon. Having a new guy like Will, he's got all the experience in the world, and you guys have a pretty good history together. We do, yeah. So what's it like now working with him?

Kyle Kirkwood:

Yeah, it's exciting. I think Will is one of the purest drivers in motorsports, right? Is some of the best moments in IndyCar history with his win at the five hundred, his championship wins, all the race wins, all the qualifying that he's had, right? He's the best qualifier in IndyCar history. A lot to learn from him, drinking from a fire hose at this moment, but it's been a great few weeks with him since he's been able to jump on board and talk about some things and get our heads moving, get the gears turning.

Bruce Martin:

Will is a very interesting personality. A lot of times you'll be talking to Will, and Will can be Will. Will has a unique way of expressing himself.

Kyle Kirkwood:

How long does it take to get used to that? To say the least. You know, I've been pretty used to it. I've known him for some years now, and he's one of the nicest guys in the paddock. Um, but yeah, there's, there's some things he says that are, that are like, oh, where did that come from? You know, you, you, uh, I think his, his, uh, brain should be very, it should be inspected, uh, in the years to come. That's for sure. Uh, really, really analyze that guy. Cause he says some interesting things, but Hey man, he's one of the fastest drivers in IndyCar history. So, um, or if not the fastest driver. So, uh, there's, there's clearly something going right in that brain.

Bruce Martin:

Speaking of fast, the IndyCar Series in twenty twenty six is going to get off to a fast start. Last year it was open the season, have two or three weeks off, then have another race and have another two or three weeks off before the next race.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Now it's three straight races right off the bat. Yeah, it's good for us.

Bruce Martin:

St. Pete, Phoenix, Grand Prix of Arlington. How important is it to be totally prepared and organized because there's not going to be any breaks during that schedule?

Kyle Kirkwood:

You know, it's actually better that it's like this, right? Because we struggle to get things organized in the middle of the season when you have three or four races in a row and then you have one weekend off and then you're back to three races. You know, that's actually a lot harder on people because you're already beeped down by that point and and the mechanics and the crew really struggle with the with those periods so we've gotten now what five months to prepare for three races in a row and and um it should be pretty fluid we hope to start off on the right foot i know the guys are ready they're prepped um they're fresh and and uh we love the new schedule

Bruce Martin:

Also, if a driver has a bad race, it doesn't have to wait before turning the page, getting a positive result. Or if a driver has a good race, keep the momentum going.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Yeah, it is good in every aspect. So, like I said, we look forward to it.

Bruce Martin:

And obviously the race everybody looks forward to the most is the Indianapolis Five Hundred. You raced very well in it last year, had a technical issue at the end of the race, as all the Andretti cars ended up having. Just from a performance level, your race at the Indianapolis Five Hundred, how much were you satisfied with the results on the track and what you were able to do and parlay that into... a possible win in twenty twenty.

Kyle Kirkwood:

So we've been we've been close the past few years, right? We've been extremely on the heels of everyone that's at the front and we just need to get up there a little bit sooner and fight with them a little bit longer, not just in the last and we have in recent years. So if we can, if we could just qualify a little bit better and have good pit stops and strategy, et cetera, et cetera, and not have to feel like we're on the back foot from the beginning of the race, that will clean some things up and we should be better.

Bruce Martin:

And finally, Ron Razuski, who was a key figure at Team Penske, is now at Andretti Global. How important has his role been, and what's it like working with Ron?

Kyle Kirkwood:

Ron's been great. He's obviously got a lot of new ideas and someone coming from a program like that from the outside coming in, I think people have a lot of respect for him, which is something that is really good for work ethic in the shop. So we love him so far. He's had great ideas. He's pushing things along, just not only with performance, but structure within the team. So he's been a great addition to the team thus far.

Bruce Martin:

And final question with Kyle Kirkwood, getting a chance to run at Phoenix, short oval, running with NASCAR. How important is that to have that race back on the IndyCar schedule, and how much are you looking forward to it?

Kyle Kirkwood:

I don't know the track, so it'll be hard for me to say, and I don't know what our performance is going to be like there. So that is, again, hard to say, but I think it's really cool that we'll be there with NASCAR. It'll be a full weekend. It'll be great for the fans. It's going to be great for IndyCar. I love this, I guess, race. co-edition with NASCAR and us. It's going to be really cool.

Bruce Martin:

All right. Well, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, good luck in the year. Thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. Thanks, Bruce. We wrap up this edition of Pit Pass Indy with another driver from Andretti Global. It's Marcus Erickson, driver of the number-twenty-eight Honda, who finished a disappointing twentieth in the twenty-twenty-five standings. Erickson won the Indianapolis Five-Hundred in twenty-twenty-two when he was with Chip Ganassi Racing and is determined to get back to the sharp edge of the field in twenty-twenty-six, as he tells me in this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. Our next guest is probably wondering why all the weather talk here in Indianapolis. To him, it's just a normal day in January. It's Markus Eriksson from Sweden. Are you a little amused by the panic that has set in here in Indiana over the minus zero temperatures and the foot of snow?

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, I mean, like you said, it's pretty much like home for me. So it's nothing new, nothing strange for us. But yeah, it's always funny when it gets cold like this in India and in the US. It seems to be a bit of a panic, but it's okay.

Bruce Martin:

Well, it won't be long until IndyCar's in warmer climates. There's going to be a test coming up in February at Phoenix as IndyCar returns to Phoenix Raceway. And also, the season starts on the streets of St. Petersburg in sunny, beautiful Florida, where it's generally sunny and beautiful. So how excited are you this time of year? Because the season ended a pretty long time ago, and I'm sure that you've probably had lots of days where you're like, we need to get back in the race car.

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, no, it's tough to have that long off-season that we have in IndyCar. You know, you go six months without driving in IndyCar, that's an awful long time. But yeah, now we're here in January, it's always... For me, it's a great month because it's a month of new opportunities. It's a new year. You sort of look forward to a new season. And I know I've done a lot of work this offseason to prepare myself for for twenty twenty six. So I'm just super excited about it. I'm excited to get to St. Pete to get the season started. I know we as a team are ready to get going. So, yeah, I can't wait for this twenty twenty six season.

Bruce Martin:

So back again with Andretti Global, are you starting to feel more of a leadership role now that Colton Hurta has moved on? Although your new teammate, the new guy on the team, is probably one of the greatest legends in IndyCar history, at least of this generation, Will Power. But he's got to learn the team. You already know it.

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, no, it's definitely no rookie that's coming in in the in the twenty six. But it's no, it definitely changes a bit. You know, Colton and Cal have been in Andretti for a long, long time. And now, you know, Colton is not there and we get Wilt coming in with his experience from from a lot of years in Penske. So that would be really interesting to work with him. And, you know, for me, I go into my third year with Andretti. I know the team very well now. So, It's a different dynamic for sure, but I feel like our lineup is extremely strong. We have a lot of experience in that lineup and a lot of speed and knowledge. So it's going to be really interesting to see how us three working together, how that's going to pan out.

Bruce Martin:

How has it been working with Will Power so far?

Marcus Ericsson:

It's been great. Like you said, he's a legend of the sport. And what I've been impressed with is just his technical knowledge, but also his drive, his hunger. He's been calling me. We've been on the phone for hours already, a couple of times. And he's just hungry to be the best. He wants to win. He wants to perform. And it's really been interesting and inspiring to see that.

Bruce Martin:

Have you also learned that it's better to have willpower working with you rather than against you?

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, no, for sure. You know, I think he's, again, he's one of the fastest that's ever driven an IndyCar and to have him in the team is a great asset for us. And I think he's kind of really, you know, a big player for us as a team to learn from. And, you know, he's, I'm sure, going to have a lot of success as well.

Bruce Martin:

Have you also learned that Will's got a little bit of a unique personality?

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, no, he's a funny guy. He's definitely a funny guy, and we've already had some funny conversations. You never know what he's going to talk about or say, so it definitely makes things interesting, and I think that's good as well to lighten up the room sometimes as well. It can get very serious in IndyCar, and it's good to have a guy like Will around when it gets too serious, I guess.

Bruce Martin:

Does it take a while to get to know his sense of humor? Because some people can get fooled by it.

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, no, it does. Yeah, definitely. Yeah, it takes a while. But I know Will quite well even before. You know, he's been one of the guys I've got along well with throughout the years. You know, we did a helmet swap a couple years back. So, you know, I feel like we have a lot of respect for each other. But, yeah, it's been fun to start working with him a bit closer.

Bruce Martin:

You had a lot of success at your previous team with Chip Ganassi racing. You won an Indianapolis . You were also a contender for the championship when you moved over to Andretti Global. There were a lot of expectations and hopes you'd be able to continue. Hasn't quite worked out like that. What do you see as being the reasons why it was a bit of a slow start for you at Andretti? Because I know the whole team had some problems back then.

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, no, I mean, it's not been the results we wanted. I feel like I've fitted in very well with the team. I love the people I work with and I feel like, you know, we have a lot of good things going. But yeah, we've been lacking consistency. That's been the biggest thing. We've had our days when we've been really strong, but we just haven't been consistent enough to challenge for, you know, championships and wins on a consistent basis. So that's something we've been focusing and talking a lot about in the offseason to just be able to show up every weekend and be consistent you know, running up front. That's what you need to do in this series. And that's what I did really well back in, you know, twenty twenty two, twenty twenty three when I was fighting for the championship was just that consistency to always be in the top ten every weekend. So I need to get back to that. And that's been, you know, a big goal for us going into twenty twenty six.

Bruce Martin:

Another key addition for the team is Ron Razuski, who was the managing director at Team Penske for the IndyCar program, is now at Andretti Global. What do you see as some of the changes that he can do to bring the team back to a very competitive and championship-winning level?

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, I mean, he comes in with a ton of experience and knowledge, obviously, from being in Penske for so long. So he's a huge signing for us, you know, and he's a great guy. You know, I've spent quite a lot of time with him here in January and just picked his brain on different things. And he's, you know, come in with, yeah, he's going to be great for us. I'm no doubt about it. And it's going to be really fun to work with him. And he's going to make a big impact on Andrade, I'm a hundred percent sure.

Bruce Martin:

What are some of the things that Marcus Erickson needs to concentrate on in twenty twenty six to return to?

Marcus Ericsson:

championship contending even championship winning status yeah i think it's a lot about that consistency to be showing up every weekend and really being you know bringing my a game every weekend that's the that's the key for me when i look myself in the mirror work better with my engineers and the group on my car so i can get the car i need every weekend underneath me so that's some of the areas and then you know i've done a lot of work in the off season to be the best version of myself so and It's about to go out and execute.

Bruce Martin:

The Winter Olympics are coming up and that's got to be a big time for anybody from Sweden. So how excited are you to see your fellow countrymen on the top step of the podium with a gold medal?

Marcus Ericsson:

Yeah, it'll be fun. It's always a highlight, of course. So it's going to be fun to follow that and cheer on the Swedes. And especially the hockey is something I'm very excited about to watch. So yeah, it's going to be good fun.

Bruce Martin:

We'll look for this guy on the top step of the podium in twenty twenty six. It's Marcus Erickson, Andretti Global. Good luck in IndyCar during the twenty twenty six season. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass.

Marcus Ericsson:

Thank you.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break. That puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy as we continue racing into twenty twenty six. We want to thank our guest, four time NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Pillow of Chip Ganassi Racing, six time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing, Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske and Andretti Global drivers Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Erickson for joining us on this edition of Pit Pass Indy. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy your path to victory lane in IndyCar. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at ex, previously known as Twitter, at BruceMartin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore five hundred. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team. Executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin. And final mixing was done by Sean Rule Hoffman and Nathan Corson. Learn more at evergreenpodcast.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.