MADISON, Illinois – Marcus Ericsson is approaching the remainder of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season as an audition for 2020. That is why a great finish in Saturday night’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway is important for the former Formula One driver from Sweden.
Ericsson qualified his No. 7 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Honda to the 14th starting position with a two-lap average of 183.180 mph around the 1.25-mile short oval.
“It’s important for the end of the year, for sure,” Ericsson told NTT INDYCAR Mobile after his qualification attempt Friday evening. “It would be extremely important to have a good race Saturday night. It’s all about trying every time you get out on track. We had really good pace on the ovals this year but haven’t had the results to show for it.
“This is the last oval of the season and I want to get a really good result because I believe we have that in us. I really enjoy this oval. It’s fun to drive. It’s not the easiest place to overtake. We have a good car, so let’s see what we can do.”
Ericsson had the speed in Friday afternoon’s first practice, but after one of the Vintage cars on the track leak oil, track crews had to attempt to soak up the oil with oil dry.
“For me, I didn’t know what to expect in Turn 1 on the first lap and go caught out from the oil dry,” Ericsson said. “My other laps were pretty good so it’s a shame that I missed it in Turn 1 on that first lap.”
Ericsson future with Arrow Schmidt Peterson for next season is in doubt after the announcement it will merge with McLaren to create Arrow McLaren Racing SP. New team principal Zak Brown said the team would honor the remaining year on James Hinchcliffe’s contract. Ericsson, however, has a one-year deal that expires at the end of this season.
There is the real possibility that Ericsson will have to find a ride on a different team if he wants to return to the NTT IndyCar Series in 2020.
“I don't know, to be honest,” Ericsson said. “I think these final races are very important for me. As far as I know the team has not made any decisions on the driver lineup. It's all very important now for me to really show what I can do on the track. Every chance I get to go out there on the track, it's an opportunity for me to show what I can do.
“That's all I know. But for me, my goal and my desire is to be in IndyCar next year 100 percent. I love the series. I love the racing. I want to be here for a long time. That's my goal.
“For sure, these last three races are going to be very, very important for me.”
Next up for the NTT IndyCar Series is Saturday's Bommarito Automotive Group 500. The television broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN with the green flag set for 8:45 p.m. Live radio broadcasts will be available on the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network and Sirius Satellite Radio (XM 209, Sirius 98, Internet/App 970).