Motor racing-Ericsson a fifth wheel no more after Indy 500 win

By Lewis Franck

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Coming into the Indianapolis 500, Marcus Ericsson was the fifth wheel on a powerhouse Chip Ganassi Racing all-star lineup of champions and drivers who had already been to Victory Lane at the Brickyard.

On a team that includes six-time IndyCar champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon, seven-time NASCAR Cup drivers champion Jimmie Johnson, 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan and the current IndyCar champion Alex Palou, the unassuming Ericsson was -- that other guy.

No longer.

After a fearless effort that saw Ericsson prevail in a two-lap shootout with Pato O'Ward to win a dramatic Indianapolis 500 on Sunday the 31-year-old Swede finds himself on the front pages.

"When you have Dixie (Scott Dixon) and TK (Tony Kanaan) and JJ (Jimmie Johnson) and Palou, the defending champion, the focus will be on them for sure," said Ericsson. "Maybe after today it will change a bit."

Ericsson's life is about to change -- a lot.

Early on Monday morning there is a meeting with the sculptor who will put his likeness on the Borg Warner trophy followed by a team photo shoot at the Brickyard finish line.

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There will be other media opportunities and then a black tie awards dinner.

He will be whisked off to New York for more media commitments, guest appearances on early morning and late night talk shows and glad handing with sponsor.

And oh yes, there is a race next weekend in Detroit where Ericsson can expect to be in high demand.

"They say it is life changing winning this race," smiled Ericsson. "Coming to IndyCar one of my goals was to show what I could do, show my skills because I felt in F1 I didn't get a chance to