IndyCar racing* moved from its traditional street course around Exposition Center in Center in Toronto that saw 40 races a bit Northwest, ~19 miles to Markum streets for the Inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. The 12-turn, 2.19-mile (3.52 km) 90 lap-race was the second new venue in 2026 following Phoenix and wedged between the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC next weekend. As with all new venues, driver and team prospects were unknown, made complicated here because the promoter was not able to complete the track build on time.
This changed the pulse and pace of what are incredible fast IndyCar race weekends. What didn’t change was the ensuing fast, tough and aggressive driving along with severe crashes. The ensuing chaos ultimately put a premium on a driver’s ability to run cleanly while meticulously adhering to changing team strategies. There were 258 on-track passes, 242 of those for position – many of them high-risk overtakes. Continue reading →
IndyCar 2026 – Markum Street Race Ups and Downs
IndyCar racing* moved from its traditional street course around Exposition Center in Center in Toronto that saw 40 races a bit Northwest, ~19 miles to Markum streets for the Inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. The 12-turn, 2.19-mile (3.52 km) 90 lap-race was the second new venue in 2026 following Phoenix and wedged between the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC next weekend. As with all new venues, driver and team prospects were unknown, made complicated here because the promoter was not able to complete the track build on time.
This changed the pulse and pace of what are incredible fast IndyCar race weekends. What didn’t change was the ensuing fast, tough and aggressive driving along with severe crashes. The ensuing chaos ultimately put a premium on a driver’s ability to run cleanly while meticulously adhering to changing team strategies. There were 258 on-track passes, 242 of those for position – many of them high-risk overtakes. Continue reading →