INDYCAR rookie relishing opportunity with Ganassi, opportunity to slow veteran suicide

Another new face on Chip Ganassi Racing, Marcus Armstrong entered his rookie season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at 22 years of age, piloting the No. 11 Honda in road and street course races – featuring American Legion branding during some of those races. He’ll debut the No. 11 American Legion Honda livery April 14-16 in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Armstrong is making his North American professional debut after competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship from 2020 to 2022 where he earned four wins and eight podiums. Before the 2023 INDYCAR Series began, Armstrong talked with American Legion Social Media Manager Steven B. Brooks about what he expected of his inaugural INDYCAR season and what it means to represent The American Legion and its “Be the One” suicide-prevention initiative.

The American Legion: What’s it like getting this shot at INDYCAR and being able to land with a team like Chip Ganassi Racing that has been so successful for so long?

Marcus Armstrong: It’s extremely special for me. I grew up watching (CGR teammate and six-time INDYCAR SERIES champ Scott Dixon) do so well. I’m a New Zealander, so it’s really embedded in New Zealand’s motorsports history: the success of Scott in that Chip Ganassi Racing car. So personally, it’s special to be a part of this organization. Obviously from a professional point of view, I feel like it gives me the best opportunity to showcase my talent because the team is so well-run and organized, and they have exceptional engineering expertise. I can just jump in the car and focus on myself. The team is ready to go and win championships. It’s fantastic to get the opportunity … and gives me a lot of motivation to do my best every single day.

Question: What kind of goals have you set for yourself this year?

Armstrong: In terms of performance … I’d love to win a race. That sounds extremely optimistic coming from a rookie, but I think that it’s possible. The team is extremely good. They’re going to provide me a car that is capable of winning. And I feel that I am able to adapt quickly. I don’t feel like there is any serious limitation, really.

Question: Your car will carry American Legion branding during some races. What will it be like to carry that branding during the course of the season and knowing that you’re representing men and women who served in our nation’s military at one time during their lives?

Armstrong: (Representing The American Legion) is really special. It’s another boost of motivation: just the fact that I’m carrying a very iconic brand on my car. It’s also nice to know that everyone (in the Legion) will be supporting me as I’m supporting them. It’s not a small organization. I feel like when they sit down to watch a race, they’re automatically going to be rooting for the American Legion car. I think that’s quite a cool feature. And I hope to do everyone proud.

Question: Part of The American Legion’s message going out through INDYCAR is our “Be the One” initiative. What’s it like being able to amplify that message to millions of people on race weekends, and share how INDYCAR, Ganassi and The American Legion have joined this (veteran suicide initiative) to reduce the number of veteran suicides and get them to ask for the help they need?

Armstrong: I think that no matter who you are, if you’re a (veteran) or sportsman or whatever, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. I feel like we have the power to reach out to a lot of people. We have a big platform as racing drivers. We’re on TV. We’re on social media. I like to think we have a decent following. So, we have the ability to sort of send the message. And hopefully as well, it’s not only a message directly to the veterans, but as well to people that are surrounding them, and just to reach out and ask for help is not a bad thing. I hope that we can spread the word.