Winning the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is a gift that keeps on giving, and Marcus Ericsson felt the full effects of that Tuesday with a winner’s trip to New York City to ring in his win Sunday.
It’s been a hectic, and tireless, past few days for Ericsson after he won the 106th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in his No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. After celebrating his win Monday night at the Indy 500 Victory Celebration, Ericsson immediately jetted off to the Big Apple to continue celebrating.
His first stop was a unique and rare opportunity: The Swedish racing star rang the bell to open Nasdaq trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
The iconic bell ringing ceremony in Times Square is an exclusive opportunity reserved for only the best people, brands and organizations in the country to allow them to celebrate achievements and milestones before a global audience.
The bell ringing ceremony was livestreamed, and Ericsson took part in a Nasdaq studio interview afterward.
“I’m honored to have been at the Nasdaq,” Ericsson said. “Winning the Indy 500 is a dream come true, and it means so much more that all our fans were able to attend ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ The Nasdaq is a hub for innovation and discovery. We view racing and INDYCAR in the same way, so it’s fitting to be here after the Indy 500.”
Much like his Monday was spent after winning the Indianapolis 500, Ericsson had many press interviews, including for Fox Sports, Road & Track and a Sirius XM studio visit.
In between those interviews, Ericsson, 31, was invited to the Empire State Building to celebrate his historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway win at another iconic location. Ericsson, adorned in his winner’s wreath, took in the breathtaking views of Manhattan from the top of the famous skyscraper and snapped some memorable photos.
“We got to go to the top of the Empire State Building and see its incredible views,” he said. “We were on the top floor – the secret floor – so don’t tell anyone.”
The massive opportunities to see incredible and iconic locations, just like the famed 2.5-mile oval he won on just days ago, continued Tuesday night.
Ericsson went to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium as a guest of the New York Yankees – one of baseball’s most famous teams. Ericsson threw the ceremonial first pitch before the game and watched as the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels, 9-1.
He also received a commemorative New York Yankees jersey featuring his name and No. 8 – just like his NTT INDYCAR SERIES car.
“What an amazing day in New York City,” Ericsson said. “Sunday was the best day of my life, and today definitely makes the top five. I’m loving every second of it.”
From here, Ericsson’s celebrations and commitments as an Indianapolis 500 winner slow down ever so slightly. He’s off to Detroit to celebrate his win there before getting ready for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES this weekend on Belle Isle in Detroit.
He is a defending winner of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, winning Race 1 of last year’s doubleheader weekend. This year’s race on Sunday, June 5 (3 p.m. ET, live on USA Network and the INDYCAR Radio Network) is the last before the event moves to downtown Detroit in 2023.
It’s arguably the site where his NTT INDYCAR SERIES career took off – he scored his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win there last year before taking it to new and immortal heights by winning the Indianapolis 500.
As he gets back to an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race weekend, Ericsson’s life will slow down ever so slightly as Indy 500 winner’s commitments subside. Eventually, though, he’ll get back in the swing of it with the unveiling of the 2023 Indianapolis 500 ticket, Gate 2 banner, Borg-Warner Trophy and more that he will be featured on as the defending winner of the largest single-day sporting event in the world.
After all, once you win the Indianapolis 500, the gifts and commitments just keep on coming.