IndyCar drivers lose a lot more than they win, making it difficult to find “success.”

But like golf, coming in second place every weekend doesn’t exactly make you 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 go racing. So it’s not easy,” 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson said in a recent interview with Fox News 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 because of that, 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’s improved on, where his focus lies, and where he’s had success. At night, he reflects on the positives he had throughout the day.

“It’s a lot of reflection. What’s interesting with mental training and coaching yourself is the reflection part. It’s not only that the questions can be quite simple, but it’s about taking the time and being present and thinking about things. That’s what is really powerful,” Ericsson said.

“A lot of people are so caught up in life, there’s always something going on, the next thing, and you just keep going. If you stop every morning and every evening, sit down for 10 minutes and reflect on your day or how you feel, 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 the fact that Ericsson does it for hours on end, he needs to be extra locked in, and that’s where his partnership with Allegra comes in.

Marcus Ericsson has partnered with Allegra to keep him sharp and focused as he vies for another Indy500 win. (Scott Heins/Courtesy of Allegra)

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“It’s just super important in what I do. Got to stay sharp, you can’t have any 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 it’s been super important for 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 might have to be considered a positive.

“Something I work a lot with my coach on as well, the biggest thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that success comes from performing at your highest level and feeling like you are maximizing yourself in the present,” Ericsson said. “Sometimes that might be 12th place, fifth place, because there are things out of your control with the car and other factors.

“If I sit here and say I need 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 make mistakes.”

Marcus Ericsson, driver of the #8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda walks to his care before practice of 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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Obviously, Ericsson goes into every race wanting to win. “That’s always there,” 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 have good results. So it’s more about that — that’s what I try to focus on.”

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The 2026 IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida, is only a few hours away, and the 25-car grid for the race is ready to fight for the first winner’s trophy of the year. Qualifying on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile street circuit on Saturday threw a curveball at the drivers.

Most of the usual Fast 6 suspects of 2025 were not in the picture for pole position for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. All three Andretti Global drivers should ideally have been in contention for the Fast 6, considering the advantage they have on street circuits. Unfortunately, braking and tire locking issues for Will Power derailed his qualifying attempt, while Kyle Kirkwood didn’t show enough promise.

Marcus Ericsson, who had an absolute disaster of a 2025 IndyCar season, suddenly found form to secure P2 behind pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin. David Malukas hit the ground running with Team Penske, securing P5. Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou secured P4, despite Chip Ganassi Racing not looking too quick in St. Pete.

The Dale Coyne Racing duo came out of nowhere, with Dennis Hauger securing P3 and Romain Grosjean in P6. And that’s the storyline we’ll begin our predictions with.

#4 – Dennis Hauger finishes in the Top 5

Dale Coyne Racing showed superior qualifying pace, but the race will be a different animal. Though the team should have a newfound edge on street circuits due to its technical alliance with Andretti Global, Hauger and Grosjean will need luck to finish in the same or higher position than where they start.

Hauger has been part of the Andretti organization for more than a year, including full domination in Indy NXT last year. Our metaphorical money is on him to give DCR its first Top 5 of 2026.

#3 – Josef Newgarden scripts a comeback from P25 into the Top 10

Josef Newgarden has had an underwhelming weekend so far in St. Pete and qualified in P25 on Saturday. Though it seems like an extension of his 2025 troubles, the two-time IndyCar champion is no stranger to comebacks.

His teammates, McLaughlin and Malukas, have shown that Penske has the pace to fight for a win. In 2025, Newgarden went from P10 to P3 on the street circuit, and if a caution period plays into his hands, the two-time Indy 500 winner should easily finish in the Top 10.

#2 – Scott McLaughlin loses pole advantage early in the race

Pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin fell prey to an untimely caution last year. He started the race on the primary tires, and a crash in the midfield on lap 1 offset his pole advantage. The drivers behind him on the alternate tires, which have shorter lives, pitted early and ditched the tires for the more durable primaries. McLaughlin didn’t have that freedom, having started on fresh primaries.

A repeat of early caution in the 2026 race seems likely, considering the tricky nature of Turns 1, 2, and 3. Many drivers had trouble getting the soft, alternate tires up to speed during qualifying. This means teams would be looking to strategically fulfill IndyCar’s mandated use of two alternate tire sets in the race, with drivers in the midfield wanting to get done with one set as early as possible.

McLaughlin, who would want to control the pace of the race from pole, would likely start on the primaries again, leaving him open to a potential disadvantage due to the danger of an early caution.

#1 – Marcus Ericsson wins the first IndyCar race of 2026; perfect Palou secures podium

Marcus Ericsson is eyeing a fairytale start to his 2026 IndyCar season. Last year, the Andretti Global driver had his worst season in the series and finished 20th in the championship standings. He has also entered contract year with Andretti this year.

In February, the 2022 Indy 500 winner emphasized that he knows only results speak in this sport, and he needs to prove his worth to earn a contract renewal. So far in St. Pete, he hasn’t put one foot wrong. Ericsson wasn’t on anyone’s radar for a front row start, but is now one of the favorites to win, and win, he should.

Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou cannot be ruled out of victory contention after his impressive qualifying performance. He was the only CGR driver to enter Fast 6 and should begin the season with a podium after battling with Ericsson and the Penske duo of McLaughlin and Malukas up front.