Linus Lundqvist Excited for First Indy 500, but First There’s the Indy GP
Photo Credit: Chris Owens, Penske Entertainment
NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie Linus Lunqvist is excited to race in his first Indianapolis 500 later this month. But before he gets to run the famed 2.5-mile oval, there’s the matter of Saturday’s Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course.
Coming off his first career INDYCAR podium finish, third at Barber Motorsports Park, Lundqvist is familiar with the IMS road course, both from his days in INDY NXT as well as having raced it last August while substituting for the injured Simon Pagenaud at Meyer-Shank Racing.
“I think it's just general comfort going back to a place where firstly I've had some history racing there in Indy Lights, did pretty well. More so having an INDYCAR race under your belt on that track, you kind of know what to expect.
“Very different situation this time around, but it just adds that little bit of comfort. It's nice. The added podium we had in Barber, confidence grew. It's a nice feeling going into the month of May with that. Hopefully we can kind of keep this momentum going for a good string of results here.”
Photo Credit: Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment
Now driving the American Legion Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, Lundqvist is currently eighth in the series standings after three races. Coming off his podium finish at Barber, Lundqvist claims he hasn’t reset his expectations for the season.
“I wouldn't say that my expectations have been reversed in any way, shape or form because I still realize that I have so much to learn. I have a long way to go before I'm going to be consistently, I think, fighting for podiums week out, week in.
“But I think we definitely took a step. I think just proving to ourselves that, hey, when everything comes together, we are able to fight for wins and podiums.
“It's a process. It was kind of a receipt that once everything does click, we'll be able to fight for these wins and podiums, which at the end of the day this is what we're here to do.
“I still realize that I have a lot of learning to do, especially this month with the whole Indianapolis 500 race coming up.
“We'll get through this kind of Indy GP weekend and set forward from there because there will be a lot of new things for me to learn.”
Photo Credit: Chris Jones, Penske Entertainment
While the 25-year-old Swede maintains his focus this weekend is on the grand prix, he’s just one race away from achieving something he’s worked his entire for - racing in the Indy 500. The temptation may be to look ahead, but Lundqvist knows the best way to approach the month of May is to take it one step at a time.
“I mean, it's tough. It's extremely hard. It's something that you've worked your whole life towards. The dream, it's to compete and obviously win the 500.
“I think just take it one step at a time. The goal right now is to try to win Indy GP and do well there. Then obviously there's a quick turnaround and the shifting starts, the focus starts to be shifted towards the 500. Obviously we have plenty of practice sessions ahead, which is nice for me.
“Then you kind of digest it into smaller goals. The first one for me is get comfortable in traffic, then we'll see how long that takes. It might take the whole month. Might not even be comfortable after the 500, who knows. I think that's going to be the biggest thing for me, is getting used to having 30-odd cars around you.”
Getting comfortable at Indy can be tough, even for veterans, but especially for a rookie. That’s why Lundqvist has been reaching out to other drivers to get their thoughts.
“I've 100% spoken to other drivers, trying to pick their brains. Especially when you're sitting in debriefs across from (Ganassi teammates) Alex Palou and Scott Dixon, they're pretty good drivers to pick their brains about.
“It's also one thing to hear them talk about it and look at (what) other drivers (are) doing. Then when you get out there, you get all the sensations you get from driving at 230 miles an hour. There's only so much you can learn about listening to others. Sometimes you have to experience it yourself.
“It's going to be about me getting comfortable especially running in traffic. Running by yourself is one thing. Most people can do that. Being good in traffic, making sure you can set up passes the way to do it, yeah, I don't think you can ever get 100% good at it. I think you just keep on learning every single year.”
Photo Credit: Chris Jones, Penske Entertainment
Lundqvist can also lean on former Ganassi driver Dario Franchitti, a 3-time Indy 500 winner and now a coach for the team.
“Dario, man, he's great in every way, shape or form. Firstly he's just a fun guy to be around. When it comes to race situations, anything you have, any questions, you have a slight wonder about it, he knows the answer to it. It's incredible.
“It happens so many, many times over the past couple of weekends where I'm feeling a little bit lost. You ask him, Hey, I'm struggling with this. He takes a look at it and will give you a straight answer as well. He'll tell you whether he thinks it's you, something to improve in the car or something for you to try.
“It's been a great, great resource. Obviously for the 500, we've already started doing some work for that. You can just tell the amount of experience, knowledge that he has.
“I'm just slowly, steadily picking his brain trying to retain all the information. We'll see what we can do. He's been a great help.”
Looking ahead, Lundqvist says he’s excited more than nervous for his first 500 and all that surrounds during the month.
“Not so nervous at the moment. I'm sure I will be before the race. Now I'm just very much excited.
“I'm looking forward to it. I'm very privileged to be one of the few people that are going to do or attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. I think I kind of owe it to myself every now and again take a moment and appreciate this journey that we've been on, the moment that we're going to experience it.
“I also am a firm believer, as it comes to, as you're coming into the car, getting up to Carb Day, up to qualifying day, all these moments, I think it's important to realize that I'm here to do a job and I'm here to perform at my maximum. You can't be thinking about all these other things.
“I've never really had a problem with that in the past. We'll see how this goes. It is so much bigger than anything I've done before, but I think as you show up there on race day, you're not going to be thinking about anything other than wanting to be the guy with the milk at the end.”