Ericsson, who started on the front row for a street course for the first time, lost out to Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden in the pits when the majority of the field pitted under yellow, and then on the Lap 25 restart, he was passed by O’Ward between Turns 7 and 8. However, the 2022 Indy 500 winner was then delayed when O’Ward also tried to nose inside leader Kyle Kirkwood and spun, partly blocking the track.
Ericsson got going again but was now eighth – which became seventh when off-strategy Agustin Canapino pitted his damaged Juncos Hollinger Racing car. The Swede regrouped and swiftly passed his compatriot, Felix Rosenqvist, and on lap 43 passed the struggling Scott McLaughlin.
