The final street course of the 2024 season will be the third type of track to test the hybrid system. As expected, there have been issues with the system, and I hope in the final six races of the year the problems can be ironed out. The championship race has tightened up, with four drivers separated by just 57 points. Alex Palou still leads, but 2024 will not be the runaway that last year was for him.

Exhibition Place is a very nice venue for an Indycar event. The race into the first turn with the Princes gate looming is one the more recognizable features of the track. The long high-speed backstretch on lake Shore Drive ends with a slow right-hand turn into turn 3.

Auditions

Several drivers will be using Toronto as an audition for a ride next season. Toby Sowery and Hunter McElrea, in the Dale Coyne cars, have a chance to demonstrate their skills. David Malukas does not have the Meyer Shank ride set for 2025 and needs good results the rest of the way.

Alexander Rossi and Rinus VeeKay also need to solidify a spot on next year’s grid. I am least worried about Rossi. Christian Rasmussen and Linus Lundqvist may also need some good finishes to secure a future spot.

Palou Still the Title Favorite

While Palou lost 13 points of his lead lat weekend at Iowa, he still has the advantage in the points race. Will Power, Pato O’Ward, and Scott Dixon have been busy swapping second place, and until one of them put some distance between themselves and the third place driver, Palou’s lead is safe.

While Palou still seeks his first oval win, he really just needs to get on the podium at the ovals and perform well this weekend and at Portland. He won Portland in 2023. I think he will win one of the four oval races left on the schedule.

Better Racing?

Fans hoping for better racing this weekend will probably be disappointed. Toronto traditionally does not have much passing, and that problem is compounded by the seeming inability of the cars to pass with the added weight of the ERS.

Solving the issue will be a collaborative effort with the series, drivers, Firestone, Dallara, and both OEMs working together to find an answer.

Who will win? I’m looking for Scott Dixon to win and retake second in the standings. Palou will finish in the top four, minimizing Dixon’s gain.