SALINAS, Calif — Sometimes it feels good to feel wanted. Marcus Ericsson felt like he was the third fiddle at Chip Ganassi Racing. While Ganassi didn’t see it that way, he understood. With Ericsson wanting to be a paid driver and rewarded for being among the top drivers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES today, Ganassi knew he had some work on his hands.

Ericsson’s contract was up at seasons end. Some may think he was crazy for looking outside of the Chip Ganassi Racing camp that he won the 2022 Indy 500 with and had a shot to win it again this past May. It’s the same team that’s secured a 1-2 points finish and likely to produce the Rookie of the Year this season as well.

It’s also why Ericsson could likely feel unwanted.

Alex Palou and Scott Dixon have won 3 of the last 4 series championships now. They’re generational talents. Then you have Marcus Armstrong who’s 26 points ahead of scoring the top rookie honors despite missing five races due to not running on ovals this season.

Where does Ericsson fit in?

He’s owed big money. Ganassi has always had to have funding to hand out big paydays. With Ericsson wanting to feel comforted, Ganassi didn’t have anything big to offer him…yet.

“Yeah, I want him to stay. Yeah, I’m working hard to do it,” Chip Ganassi said of Marcus Ericsson during the Fast Friday press conference this past May.

So what was the hold up? Ganassi says the same thing as everything else.

“I’m not a big guy to be talking about our deals or our contracts or anything, but Marcus has a big future in the sport, and I want it to be on this team, sure, “he said on that fateful May day. “Yeah, we just need to finalize some sponsorship, and away we go.”

Ericsson is a big talent and other teams knew then that he was possibly going to be available in 2024. Why would they not want to discuss options to gain his services?

“Like everyone else, we have paid close attention to Marcus’ success in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and have been impressed with how quickly he proved that he belonged with the frontrunners in what is arguably the most competitive INDYCAR field ever,” said Michael Andretti. “It’s no secret that we want to win races and Championships and to do that we need drivers like Marcus who have that natural talent and determined drive.”

It wasn’t like Ganassi gave up. He was still actively searching for funding to make this happen. Unfortunately for him, by time he did so and was able to offer Ericsson a big contract, it was too late.

On Aug. 1, Ericsson could officially talk to other teams and 23 days later, he had a deal announced.

Andretti had an offer too and Ericsson took it.

“I was quite clear I wanted to have an offer for a long time, and like he had said to you, he gave me an offer, but I had already sort of made up my mind then,” Ericsson said after Friday’s practice session at Laguna Seca, the site of this weekend’s 2023 season finale.

Ganassi felt like he had a great offer but was turned down. That’s a first. However, he also understood and is why both he and Ericsson will remain friends despite splitting up once the checkered flag drops in Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC, INDYCAR Radio Network).

“Yeah, for sure. I’m very thankful for Chip and everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing for the opportunity there,” Ericsson said. “I’ve had four amazing years together with them and we won the biggest race in the world, so we end on good terms.

“With that said, I’m super excited about that new chapter that I’m about to start next year. I think that’s going to be great for me. I think it’s going to be a great fit.

“I’m super excited about that, but like I said, very thankful, and ending on very good terms with Chip and Chip Ganassi Racing.”

While going to Andretti could once again put him in the third spot behind Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood, it’s also a place that his consistency could allow him to be more of a championship front runner among the group too.

Ericsson has finished in the top 10 in 14 of the 16 races run this season. He was 12-for-17 the two years prior and 9-for-14 in 2020.

That’s 47 top 10 finishes in 64 starts with Ganassi. If he can do that with Andretti and capitalize on their speed, watch out.