IndyCar driver Marcus Ericsson spotted at NHL team Vegas Golden Knights’ stadium for their derby game
Marcus Ericsson and David Malukas attended the Friday evening NHL game between the Vegas Golden Nights and Dallas Stars. Ericsson, who drove for Andretti Global in the 2024 IndyCar series, and fellow Indycar driver Malukas traveled to the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas.
The Swedish driver raced in the F3 and F2 racing series in the late 2000s and early 2010s before making his F1 debut with Caterham in 2014. He raced in F1 for 5 years, before making the switch to IndyCar in 2019. Ericsson has won four races in IndyCar in the last six years.
The 23-year-old Malukas is still in the early days of his racing career. The American drove for MSR during the 2024 season. He signed a multi-year contract to race for A.J. Foyt Racing starting in 2025.
IndyCar’s official account uploaded photos from the game night on its Instagram account in collaboration with David Malukas and Marcus Ericsson.
The first picture was a group photo with Ericsson, Malukas, and three Golden Knights players Williams Karlsson, Victor Olofsson, and Alexander Holtz. A video of the two IndyCar drivers celebrating Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel’s second-period goal was uploaded next.
The fourth slide was a video of Ericsson and Malukas attending a power slap match. The Sweden and American driver's Casino visit was highlighted in the sixth slide. A video of Ericsson conversing with the Golden Knights players was also uploaded. The caption to the post read:
“An eventful Friday Night in Vegas”
IndyCar’s X account reposted the pictures on the social media platform with the caption:
“Rolled up to The Fortress with the @GoldenKnights”
Golden Knights won the game 3-2 in their home arena, also known as “The Fortress”. Thomas Hertl scored the first goal for the Knights 15 minutes into the first period. Stars responded with Maverick Bourque’s goal in the second period.
However, two goals in quick succession by Jack Eichel and Nicolas Roy took the game away from the Stars. Mason Marchment did score a goal in the final few minutes of the third period resulting in the final score 3-2.
“Had to make a decision”: Marcus Ericsson chose Racing over Hockey as his career
The Swedish driver described Hockey as his biggest passion after racing. Ericsson played the game as a youngster and wanted to become a professional goalie. He was the goalie for his town’s regional elite team. However, there came a moment when the Andretti driver had to choose between racing and hockey.
Marcus Ericsson said, via IndyCar.com:
“I stopped playing hockey because I had to make a decision about what to focus on and I chose racing. I was all right as a goalie, but for sure, I was a better racing driver. They were my two passions and I just felt that racing was my thing, but I still love hockey. I still play every winter with my friends just for fun every now and then. Not as much as I want, but I try to get out on the ice and have some fun.”
With the IndyCar off-season underway, most drivers including Marcus Ericsson and David Malukas are out and about the world. Both drivers stuck around Sin City after the Golden Knights game and attended the UFC 310 event at the T-Mobile arena on the 7th of December.