IndyCar: One question each title contender must answer

IndyCar contenders: Marcus Ericsson – Can he end a bizarre Indy 500 trend?

Aside from the obvious question of whether or not he can overcome a massive 39-point deficit (even Scott Dixon’s 47-point comeback in 2015 was via a double points finale), Marcus Ericsson is vying to become the driver to win both the Indy 500 and the championship in the same season since 2010.

Not since four-time series champion and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, who was Chip Ganassi Racing’s most recent Indy 500 winner (2012) prior to Ericsson’s Memorial Day Weekend triumph this past May, has a driver won both in the same year.

The winners of the 11 Indy 500 races from 2011 to 2021 have accounted for just four championships during that span.

All things considered, it’s a bit of a strange trend, when you consider the fact that the Indy 500 is a double points-paying race and has been one since 2014. Four former series champions have won it since then.

Ericsson appeared poised to end that drought, having led the standings after six races in a seven-race span, including five in a row, following the Indy 500.

But without a top five finish in his last six starts, things may very well be just out of reach for the Indy 500 winner, who lacks a win outside Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the start of the season.