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IndyCar drivers lose a lot more than they win, which makes finding “success” difficult.
But like golf, coming in second every weekend doesn’t exactly make one a loser like it does in individual sports—in fact, it would be the most successful season ever.
“It’s tough because obviously there can only be one winner in racing every time we race. So it’s not easy,” 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson said in a recent interview with Pakinomist 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 Syndication)
And that’s why Ericsson has his own personal “mental coach”, who gives him daily exercises and prompts with different focuses.
In the morning, Ericsson will write down what he has gotten better at, where his focus lies and where he has been successful. At night he reflects on the positive things he had during the day.
“It’s a lot of reflection. What’s interesting about mental training and coaching yourself is the reflection part. It’s not just that the questions can be quite simple, but it’s about taking time and being present and thinking about things. That’s what’s really powerful,” says Ericsson.
“A lot of people are so caught up in life, there’s always something, the next thing, and you just keep going. If you stop every morning and every night, sit down 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 pen to paper and writing it down is also something that’s very powerful.”
Driving around at speeds of 200 mph is a mental challenge in itself. Given that Ericsson does it for hours, he needs to be extra locked in, which is where his partnership with Allegra comes in.
Marcus Ericsson has partnered with Allegra to keep him sharp and focused as he fights for another Indy500 victory. (Scott Heins/Courtesy of Allegra)
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“It’s just super important in what I do. I have to stay sharp, you can’t have brain fog or anything like that. That’s where Allegra really helps,” Ericsson said, noting the height of allergy season. “Helps me stay sharp, helps me stay locked in. So that’s been super important to me.”
In practicing his mental game, Ericsson has had to train himself that success does not equal winning. In fact, sometimes not even finishing in the top 10 should be considered a positive.
“Something I also work on a lot with my coach, the biggest thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that success comes from performing at your highest level and feeling like you’re maximizing yourself in the moment,” Ericsson said. “Sometimes it can be 12th, fifth because there are things out of your control with the car and other factors.
“If I sit here and say I’m going to win every race, you’re going to be frustrated and disappointed a lot of the time 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 yourself there and not making mistakes.”
Marcus Ericsson, driver of the #8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda goes to his guard before practice for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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It is clear that Ericsson goes into every race to win. “It always is,” he said.
“But I think it’s easier to focus on performing at your highest level on a consistent basis,” he continued. “If I can do that, I know I’m going to win races. I know I’m going to get good results. So it’s more about that – that’s what I’m trying to focus on.”
