Track woes derail INDYCAR’s debut in Markham

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor

Casey Shepherd (Motorsports Today, 2026)

Hype, crowd fare and driver approval couldn’t get the first practice session of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham off the ground, as several delays due to track repairs meant on-track activity was shifted to Saturday.

“Yeah, I think there are a day behind,” Will Power, driver of the No.26 Andretti Global Honda, said.

Race teams arrived at the track on Friday morning to find barriers being moved and tire bundles unsecured. The largest hurdle was doing this in time to secure FIA approval to meet race conditions before Friday was caught out by a lack of sunlight. 

A task that wasn’t accomplished.

“Once the race promoter has completed the track build and INDYCAR deems the circuit safe and appropriate for competition, the first on-track session of the weekend will begin,” NTT INDYCAR SERIES said on X earlier today.

The gut punch came at the expense of all the fans who arrived at Markham for its Free Fan Friday, where they were welcomed to enjoy all on-track action for free, with the option to donate to Make-A-Wish.

Despite the disappointment, many drivers voiced their excitement to get racing after seeing the track for the first time during the track walk this morning.

“I think this is probably the best street course we will go to. The surface is super smooth, super grippy," Sting Ray Robb, driver of the No.77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, said. “ It’s not just 90-degree corners. It's going to be very dynamic. It’s going to have some elevation [and] different radius turns. All that will play into some opportunities.”

One of the most difficult challenges drivers will face is finding the right balance in how hard to push their race cars on a newly repaved racing surface. Several drivers have prepared a checklist ahead of Saturday's tight schedule.

“I think it's really taking it step-by-step,” Scott Dixon, driver of the No.9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, said. “It doesn't really pay to win anything but the race. So as long as you build up to it and get the big ticket items out of the way, whether it's gears, ride heights or setup in general, and just try to understand where you need to get better, will be what practice one is all about.”

NTT INDYCAR SERIES action for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham kicks off with first practice at 10:05 am EST. Second practice shifts to a start time of 2:30 pm EST, with qualifying wrapping up the day at 6:30 pm EST. Fans can tune in to the action on FS2 and FS1.