Marcus Ericsson crashed out of Race 2 of the IndyCar double-header at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, July 13, due to a right front tire failure, the same problem that affected his teammate Kyle Kirkwood in Race 1 on Saturday. The incident occurred on lap 127 of 275 during the Farm to Finish 275, when Ericsson’s right front tire collapsed, causing him to lose control and slide into the outer barriers at Turn 4, just before the pit lane.
Andretti Global faces repeated tire issues in Iowa events
Ericsson’s crash was not isolated; another Andretti Global driver, Colton Herta, also experienced a front right tire failure at lap 254 in Race 2. Kirkwood had suffered a similar right front tire problem during Race 1, leading to his own crash into the barriers. These repeated failures highlight a concerning pattern for the Andretti team during the Iowa races.
Ericsson voices frustration over uncontrollable crash circumstances
After the crash, Ericsson expressed his frustration in an interview with FOX pitlane reporter Kevin Lee. He confirmed the tire failure was the cause of his incident:
“The right front (failed), like the 27 (Kirkwood’s car) yesterday. Unfortunate.”
When asked about what a driver can do in such situations beyond their control, Ericsson said:
“The problem is you don’t really feel anything. Just driving, and it happens. All you can do is brace and help the impact, (so) it’s not too bad. Luckily, I got around the corner a little bit, so I wasn’t too bad. It is not what you need right now, so it’s very frustrating.”
Handling struggles compound Ericsson’s challenging season
Ericsson revealed that his No. 28 Andretti Global Honda had been giving him handling problems throughout the Iowa weekend, which, although not directly causing the crash, likely contributed to his difficulties on track. Speaking to reporter Bob Pockrass, he explained:
“I was struggling with the handling all days, really,” Ericsson said. “Yesterday, we were fine. Obviously, our teammate had his issue. So just unfortunate. Maybe not having a great day, but it is better than DNFing and crashing the car. So yeah, it’s disappointing.”
This crash adds to what has become a troubling 2025 season for Ericsson. Aside from a sixth-place finish at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Swedish driver has yet to register another Top 10 and entered Iowa Race 2 sitting 20th in the championship standings.
Firestone and IndyCar’s response to right front tire concerns
Concerns about the right front tire on Iowa’s high-speed, abrasive surface first emerged during an IndyCar test on June 25. At that time, one driver experienced a right front puncture, prompting Firestone to develop reinforced tires for the race weekend. Despite this, Andretti Global was the only team to suffer front right tire failures during the Iowa double-header, suggesting that team car setups may have played a role in the issues.
Implications for Andretti Global and ongoing IndyCar season
The double tire failures and subsequent crashes for Andretti Global drivers at Iowa represent a significant setback for the team’s campaign this season. With both Ericsson and Kirkwood sidelined by similar incidents and Herta experiencing related problems, the team faces urgent challenges in addressing the tire durability and car handling on demanding circuits. For Ericsson, the crash deepens the difficulties of an already disappointing season, placing pressure on both driver and team to find solutions as the 2025 IndyCar calendar progresses.