Incomplete track construction on the 12-turn, 2.19-mile temporary circuit forced officials to cancel Friday’s scheduled practice and qualifying sessions for the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, with organizers pushing all opening-day activities to Saturday.
Fans who filled the grandstands early on August 14, 2026, around the new Markham Centre street course near Unionville GO Station spent their day watching construction vehicles rather than race cars. Unfinished infrastructure—including race bridges, safety fencing, and timing-and-scoring cables—slowed promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions as crews worked to finalize the layout. The construction crunch also forced the cancellation of the traditional pre-event track walk, which had already been pushed from Thursday to Friday morning.
Tire Barriers and Safety Inspections Stalled Friday Practice
IndyCar team managers in the paddock pointed to the labor-intensive process of installing tire barriers as a primary bottleneck for the temporary street circuit. Unlike permanent ovals or road courses that utilize SAFER barriers bolted to permanent structures, street circuits require tires to be individually banded together, placed in designated runoff zones, and fitted with protective coverings. Particular attention was required around the tight Turn 5 hairpin.
Organizers initially hoped to salvage the day by moving the opening 90-minute NTT IndyCar Series Practice 1 session from 3:05 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET. However, at 5:35 p.m. ET, series officials confirmed that all track activities for Friday were canceled. IndyCar maintained that no cars would turn a wheel until the promoter finished the build and an on-site FIA representative certified the circuit safe.
“As preparations continue at the Streets of Markham circuit, today’s NTT IndyCar Series Practice 1 session, scheduled for 3:05 PM ET, is on hold. 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. Further updates will be provided throughout the afternoon.”
IndyCar, via Motorsport
Drivers Praise New Tarmac Despite Growing Pains
The move to Markham shifts Canada’s premier open-wheel race away from Toronto’s Exhibition Place, which hosted the event since 1986. Building a brand-new temporary track from scratch under a tight seasonal calendar presented immediate logistical hurdles, but veterans in the paddock offered high marks for the actual racing surface once they surveyed the property.
Photo: Forbes
“I think honestly the track looks fantastic. It looks really cool. It looks like just most of the other street stuff, but yeah, this is typically expected. I think for a first-time event, the surface looks really good. Track layout looks really good. A ton of fans here already, which is really cool.”
Photo: Yahoo Sports
Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing
Dixon noted that pre-event simulator work suggested a much bumpier ride, but the freshly laid tarmac exceeded expectations once asphalt paving wrapped up. Championship leader Alex Palou echoed those sentiments regarding the track design.
“As I said, the tarmac being brand new, like that’s something we don’t have. We’ve never had it on a street course and the layout looks good. There are some overtaking spots. It’s super wide at some areas, narrow at some others, but it looks great.”
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
Revised Saturday Schedule and Weekend Outlook
Series organizers scrambled to compress Friday’s lost track time into Saturday’s agenda. IndyCar released an updated Saturday timetable featuring two practice sessions before afternoon time trials.
Scott Dixon feels delays at Markham IndyCar track are 'to be expected'
Despite the construction delays, Sunday’s 90-lap main event remains locked in for a green flag target around 12:22 p.m. ET. Palou enters the Markham weekend holding a 110-point lead over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood in the 2026 championship standings. Meanwhile, early-arriving spectators continued to utilize Free Fan Friday activities around the Markham Pan Am Centre and York University’s Markham campus while crews completed the remaining circuit safety installations.
