Tag: Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham

Markham Preview

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Today’s schedule: Eastern time

IndyCar Practice 1 – 3 pm FS2

From what I am hearing, this schedule may be changing. The track walk was postponed from yesterday to 8 am this morning because the track was not finished. Overnight work took place to get the track ready, and it appears the track walk has begun. First year circuits usually have issues at the start of a race weekend, so I am not surprised.

It took several years for St. Pete to figure out how to quickly build and tear down the track. Now they need less than half the time it used to take. Markham will be the home of IndyCar in Canada for five years. This problem should not happen again.

The Markham race replaces the Toronto event at Exhibition Place, a tight circuit which had undergone many changes as more buildings rose on the grounds. IndyCar would have probably had to find a new home eventually. A conflict with the World Cup did not allow the race to take place this year, and Markham, about 30 minutes away, became the new home of IndyCar for the next five years.

Newer and casual fans may be surprised that there is a race this weekend, as this event has been overshadowed promo wise by next week’s race in Washington, D. C. The quest for ratings for that race has buried promotion for this weekend’s race.

While it is a new circuit for everyone, Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood enter as the two favorites. They dominated t6he inaugural race at Arlington in March, and there is no reason to believe the top two drivers in the standings won’t do the same here.

The circuit looks interesting with a long backstretch and some elevation change. Turn 6 looks like a good passing zone.

Like Detroit, Markham features a split pit lane. The concept works better than I expected it to as drivers have behaved and stayed on their side of the pits on exit.

With five races left in the season, a seventh victory for Palou would pretty much wrap up his fifth championship and fourth in a row. The only real question is can Kirkwood retain second place rather than switching spots with David Malukas every weekend.

My pick for Sunday is Kyle Kirkwood. I am surprised that he hasn’t won a race since March, and street circuits are his expertise. He still won’t gain much ground on Palou, who will likely be on the podium, but Kirkwood will solidify his hold on second place.

I am anxious to see what the track looks like this afternoon and how the cars w3ill =race on it. I’ll be back this evening with a practice wrap up.

Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham Fast Facts

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Race weekend: Friday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 16

Track: Streets of Markham, a 12-turn, 2.19-mile (3.52-kilometer) temporary street course

Race distance: Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham: 90 laps/197.1 miles/317.2 kilometers

Push-to-pass parameters: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation.

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 360 kilojoules (kJ) per lap.

Firestone tire allotment: Five sets primary, five sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate tires for at least two laps in the race.

X: @ontario_indy, @IndyCar, #indyON #IndyCar

Instagram: @ontarioindy, @INDYCAR, #indyON, #INDYCARThreads: @INDYCAR @ontarioindy

Facebook: @ontarioindy, @INDYCAR, #INDYCARTikTok: @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR

YouTube: @INDYCAR

Event website: http://www.HondaIndy.com

INDYCAR website: http://www.INDYCAR.com

2025 race winner (Streets of Toronto):Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

2025 NTT P1 Award winner:Colton Herta (No. 26 Gainbridge Honda), 59.8392 seconds, 107.461 mph (172.942 kph)

Qualifying record: New circuit in 2026

FOX Sports telecasts:

NTT INDYCAR SERIES:

Practice 1, 3 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (USA)/TSN+ (Canada) (live);

Practice 2, 10 a.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (USA)/TSN+ (Canada) (live);

Qualifying, 2:25 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live) (USA)/TSN5/TSN+ (Canada);

Warmup, 8:30 a.m. ET, Sunday FS2 (USA) Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, noon ET, Sunday, FOX (USA)/TSN1/TSN4/TSN+ (Canada) (live).

Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters.

INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Jake Query and Nick Yeoman are the turn announcers. Michael Young, Alex Wollf, Joel Sebastianelli and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham race (11:30 a.m. ET Sunday) can be heard live on network affiliates nationwide.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, NTT P1 Award Qualifying (2:25 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices also air live on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

At-track schedule (all times local):

Friday, Aug. 14 3:05-4:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 (40 minutes for all cars, followed by two groups for 12 minutes each), FS2 (USA) /TSN+ (Canada), (Live)

Saturday, Aug. 15 10:05-11:30 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (40 minutes for all cars, followed by two groups for 12 minutes each), FS2 (USA) /TSN+ (Canada), (Live)

2:25-4 p.m. – Qualifying for NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1 (USA) / TSN5/TSN+ (Canada), (Live)

Sunday, Aug. 16 8:40-9:10 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS2 (USA), (Live)

Noon – FOX/TSN1 and TSN4 on air

12:15 p.m. – Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham “Drivers, start your engines”

12:22 p.m. – Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham (90 laps/197.1 miles/317.2 kilometers), FOX (USA) /TSN1/TSN4/TSN+ (Canada), (Live).

NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship factsAlex Palou leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with five races to go for the fifth time in his INDYCAR SERIES career. He also led the championship with five races to go in his championship-winning seasons in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Palou, who took the points lead at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in April, has led the point standings after 10 of the 13 races this season.

There are 12 drivers still mathematically eligible for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship: Alex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood, David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard, Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist, Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Ericsson, Rinus VeeKay, Will Power and Scott Dixon. Any driver who trails the points leader by 216 points or more following the race will be eliminated from contention.

Since 2008 when INDYCAR SERIES racing unified under the NTT INDYCAR SERIES banner, the eventual series champion has won the 14th race of the season six times. The most recent occurrence was 2025 when Alex Palou won at Laguna Seca. He also won the 14th race of 2021 at Portland. Other drivers to win the 14th race of their championship season were Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012), Dario Franchitti (2009 and 2010) and Scott Dixon (2008).

From 2009-2019, the eventual NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion won the Toronto race six times. Dario Franchitti won in 2009 and 2011. Ryan Hunter-Reay won in 2012, Scott Dixon swept both races in 2013 and won the single race in 2018, and Josef Newgarden won in 2017. Seven other drivers have claimed the INDYCAR SERIES championship in the same season they won at Toronto: Bobby Rahal (1986), Al Unser Jr. (1990), Michael Andretti (1991), Alex Zanardi (1998), Cristiano da Matta (2002), Paul Tracy (2003) and Sebastien Bourdais (2004).Key championship point statistic: Since 2008, the championship leader with five races to go has gone on to win the championship 11 times. Those drivers were: Scott Dixon (2008, 2018 and 2020), Dario Franchitti (2011), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012), Simon Pagenaud (2016), Josef Newgarden (2019) and Alex Palou (2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025).Point differential: The 110 points that separate Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood are the second-largest point margin since INDYCAR SERIES racing was unified in 2008. Before this season, the average lead with five races to go since 2008 was 48.8 points.

It’s Been a Week

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The IndyCar series is not going quietly into its winter hibernation quietly. Five major stories broke between Tuesday and Wednesday. Here is a recap of all that happened.

Rinus VeeKay announced that he had declined an renewal offer from Dale Coyne Racing. VeeKay had a solid year in car 18, finishing 14th in points. He had two top fives and seven top 10s for an entry that in 2024 finished 25th in the standings with several different drivers and missed the Indianapolis 500.

I don’t think VeeKay would have left if there was not something better awaiting him. Speculation is that he will replace David malukas in car4 at A. j. Foyt Racing. But firs twe need to hear that Malukas will be somewhere else next year.

The VeeKay news served as Tuesday’s appetizer. Shortly thereafter, Will Power announced he was leaving Team Penske after 17 years. There will likely never be another driver spending 17 years with the same team, let alone the same sponsor. The outpouring of love and respect from fans and the paddock for Power was great to see. It took me several years to warm up to him, but I came to respect him as a person and admire him as a driver.

Power is a generational talent along with the likes of Scott Dixon. Dixon grabbed more of the spotlight because of his numerous wins and championships, but Power belongs in the same conversation. It is hard to argue against 45 race wins and 71 poles.

Colton Herta grabbed the spotlight next when Cadillac F1 named him as their test driver beginning in 2026. Herta will also drive full time in F2 in order to gain the Superlicense points he needs to drive in F1. I always enjoyed watching Herta in IndyCar, and his absence leaves a huge talent void on the grid. Herta is pursuing his dream to drive in F1,and I hope he gets the opportunity in a coupleof years.

Andretti Global wasted little time replacing Herta, signing Will Power to a multi year deal. Power gives the team a second Indianapolis 500 winner, and Power’s addition actually makes the team stronger. Power wiull push Kyle Kirkwood to new heights.

Yesterday morning IndyCar and Green Savoree Promotions held a news conference to introduce the new home of the former Toronto race in Markham, Ontario, Markham is a suburb of Toronto, scheduled for August 14-16, 2026. Exhibition Place is not available because of the World Cup taking place in June and July. The track had been getting squeezed by development, and I wasn’t sure how much longer IndyCar would be able to race there.

The venue has a five year deal with the series. It will feature another two sided pit lane, the third one for street courses. Detroit and the new race at Arlington, Texas also use that set up.

The track layout of the 2.12 mile, 12 turn circuit is more expansive than the two other relatively new circuits at Detroit and Texas.

The schedule as of today:

3/1: St. Petersburg

3/15: Arlington

4/19: Long Beach

5/9: Sonsio Grand Prix

5/24: Indy 500

5/31: Detroit

8/16: Markham

Ten more dates need to be determined. I expect at least two more venues new to the recent era schedule.

Ontario Honda Dealers Indy moves to City of Markham under a multi-year agreement

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From Green Savoree and Ontario Honda dealers:

NTT INDYCAR SERIES scheduled for a return stop to Canada on August 14-16, 2026
MARKHAM, Ontario (Sept. 3, 2025) – Green Savoree Toronto ULC, the City of Markham and INDYCAR announced today that the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy will have a new home in 2026 under a multi-year agreement. Led by the organizer and promoter Green Savoree Toronto ULC, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will race on an exciting new street circuit built in the City of Markham on August 14-16, 2026. Markham, Ontario is adjacent to Toronto’s northeastern municipal boundary and in York Region, which is experiencing significant growth at a population of already more than 1.25 million residents. The race will be held in Markham Centre, the city’s dynamic downtown core, and home to many Canadian corporate headquarters, the York University Markham Campus, and the acclaimed Markham Pan Am Centre — a key venue during the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. 
“We are excited to welcome the exhilarating experience of INDYCAR SERIES racing hitting our streets in 2026,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
“We are proud to welcome this world-class event to our community. I want to thank Green Savoree Toronto, Penske Entertainment Corp., NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association and the Province of Ontario for their trust in our city. Markham is ready to build on its strong sports legacy and offer a new home where this celebrated summer tradition can thrive. I am extremely proud of our team at the City of Markham for bringing this initiative across the finish line in just a matter of months.” 
With excellent regional access via two major 400-series highways, Unionville GO Station, and the VIVA Rapid Transit system, the new Markham circuit is ideally situated to welcome fans from across Southern Ontario and beyond. Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham will be the largest sports and cultural celebration in York Region’s history.
The event is expected to draw more than 140,000 attendees over the three-day weekend and generate tens of millions in economic activity through sport tourism, hospitality and event services. “The Indy is one of North America’s premier motorsport events and has been a cornerstone of Ontario’s events calendar for nearly forty years,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport.
“Sport tourism is a major economic driver for our province, and I am thrilled that this iconic event will continue to call Ontario home; thank you to the City of Markham for opening your doors to help start this new chapter. This event will continue to drive tourism, boost our economy, and strengthen Ontario’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class sporting events.” 
The temporary track will be built in the eastern precinct of Markham’s downtown, between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407. Renowned track designer Tony Cotman of NZR Consulting has led the design process of the temporary circuit which features a 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre (2.19-mile) layout including a double-sided pit lane, thrilling straightaways and technically challenging sectors. The City of Markham has begun early works on the track and festival site in coordination with Metrolinx and other area partners.
“Green Savoree Toronto is announcing today a multi-year agreement with the City of Markham to be the new home of this Ontario motorsports tradition. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Mayor Frank Scarpitti, his team at the City of Markham and INDYCAR,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham.
“The inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham will build on the legacy of this great Ontario event which started in 1986. We look forward to welcoming all our fans, the drivers and race teams out to this terrific new venue in Markham Centre next August.” 
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing competition, featuring stars from across the globe competing at speeds faster than 370 kph (230 mph). Along with hosting the world-famous Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the series boasts a mix of oval, temporary street circuit and permanent road course races across North America. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is sanctioned by INDYCAR, the governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series and part of the Penske Entertainment family.
 “We could not be more pleased to see the rich history of NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing continue in Ontario,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said.
“Markham is a growing, diverse and dynamic city and will provide a terrific showcase for our exhilarating wheel-to-wheel racing. I would like to thank Mayor Frank Scarpitti for this thrilling new partnership and Jeff Atkinson and the team at Green Savoree Toronto for their leadership. It is crucial for INDYCAR to continue to reach our fans in Canada and we simply cannot wait for this new chapter to begin next year.”
 Ongoing event updates an ticket pricing when available will be available at hondaindy.com. 
ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
“When Markham was presented to the dealer group by Jeff (Atkinson) and the Green Savoree Toronto team as the race’s new home, the response from the Ontario Honda Dealers was overwhelmingly positive to renew as title sponsor. We look forward to continuing to participate in the growth of this motorsports tradition and bringing Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday now to Markham!” –       Chris Gauthier, President of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association
“Markham was my first home and where my racing dreams took root. So, it’s extra special to know the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be there starting with the 2026 season. Ontario has some incredibly passionate open-wheel racing fans and I can’t wait to see them lining the streets for an epic event.”–       James Hinchcliffe, FOX Sports commentator, former INDYCAR driver and Markham native
About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 370,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in the York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Visit our newsroom or subscribe to Markham Now for the latest information on City programs, services and events. 
About NTT INDYCAR SERIES:The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series. It features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including championship contenders Josef Newgarden (USA), Alex Palou (Spain) and Pato O’Ward (Mexico) – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDYCAR, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com.
About Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham:Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is a world-class motorsports festival which takes place annually on a 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre (2.19-mile) temporary circuit using the downtown streets of Markham. The event features many attractions, food trucks, interactive displays and activities, and supports local charities. Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday which offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada. Since 2010, event fundraising has raised over $1 million for charity.
As one of Ontario’s largest annual sporting events with the first race held in 1986 formerly known as the Molson Indy, it has become a prestigious meeting place for some of the world’s fastest race car drivers including past NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions like Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou and Will Power as well as Canadian racing greats Scott Goodyear, James Hinchcliffe, Greg Moore, Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, Jacques Villeneuve, Robert Wickens and more.
Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is owned and operated by Green Savoree Toronto, ULC, whose affiliates also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Feb. 27 – March 1, 2026), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio and BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland.
For more information, visit hondaindy.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page at @IndyToronto or follow the event on X at @Ontario_Indy and Instagram at @OntarioIndy using #indyON.
About Green Savoree Racing Promotions:Green Savoree Racing Promotions (GSRP) is an Indianapolis-based motorsports event ownership and management company whose subsidiaries own, operate and promote race properties in Lexington, Ohio, home of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School, Portland, Ore., St. Petersburg, Fla. and Greater Toronto Area in Markham, Ontario.
These events provide a festival experience and showcase some of the most exciting racing series in the world including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, IMSA, MotoAmerica, INDY NXT by Firestone, the USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire open-wheel development series and more. In working together since 1993, co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree have won four INDYCAR championships, three Indianapolis 500 races and the 12 Hours of Sebring as team principals, and established the first INDYCAR street race in 2004. More information about the company, its subsidiaries, and these events is available on the event websites at gpstpete.com, hondaindy.com, midohio.com and RacePortland.com.