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IndyCar drivers lose far more than they win, making it difficult to find “success.”
But like golf, coming in second every weekend doesn’t exactly make you a loser like it does in individual sports; in fact, it would be the most successful season in history.
“It’s tough, because obviously, there can only be one winner in racing every time we go racing. So it’s not easy,” 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson said in a recent interview with Pak Gazette Digital.
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Chip Ganassi Racing driver Marcus Ericsson (8) celebrates winning the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Grace Hollars/USA TODAY NETWORK Distribution)
And that’s why Ericsson has his own personal “mental trainer” who gives him daily exercises and instructs him with different approaches.
In the morning, Ericsson will write down what it has improved on, what it is focusing on, and what it has been successful at. At night he reflects on the positive aspects he had throughout the day.
“It’s a lot of reflection. The interesting thing about mental training and self-training is the reflection part. It’s not just that the questions can be quite simple, but it’s about taking the time, being present and thinking about things. That’s what’s really powerful,” Ericsson said.
“A lot of people get so caught up in life that something always happens, the next thing, and you just keep going. If you stop every morning and every night, sit for 10 minutes and reflect on your day or how you’re feeling, what’s going on in your mind, I think that’s very powerful. Putting a pen to paper and writing it down is also a very powerful thing.”
Driving at speeds of 200 mph is a mental challenge in itself. Since Ericsson does it for hours on end, he needs to be more focused, and that’s where his partnership with Allegra comes into play.
Marcus Ericsson has teamed up with Allegra to keep him alert and focused as he competes for another Indy500 victory. (Scott Heins/Courtesy of Allegra)
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“It’s very important in what I do. I have to stay alert, you can’t have brain fog or anything like that. That’s where Allegra really helps,” Ericsson said, pointing to the height of allergy season. “It helps me stay alert, it helps me stay focused. So it’s been very important for me.”
By practicing his mental game, Ericsson has had to learn that success does not equal winning. In fact, sometimes even finishing in the top 10 shouldn’t be considered positive.
“Something I also work on a lot with my coach, the most important thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that success comes from performing at the highest level and feeling like you’re maximizing yourself in the present,” Ericsson said. “Sometimes it can be 12th or fifth, because there are things that are out of your control with the car and other factors.
“If I sit here and say I need to win every race, a lot of times you’re going to feel frustrated and disappointed because you can’t win every race. So it’s about focusing on trying to perform at your highest level every time and striving to be at your highest level, understanding how to get there and not make mistakes.”
Marcus Ericsson, driver of the #8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, walks to his care before practice for the 107th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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Obviously, Ericsson comes to every race wanting to win. “That’s always there,” he said.
“But I think it’s easier to focus on performing at the highest level consistently,” he continued. “If I can do that, I know I’m going to win races. I know I’m going to have good results. So it’s more about that, that’s what I try to focus on.”
