Venue and schedule: This is the inaugural IndyCar race at the brand-new temporary street circuit in Markham Centre (eastern downtown precinct, near the Markham Pan Am Centre, York University Markham campus, and Unionville GO area).
The track is bounded roughly by Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, the Unionville GO tracks, and Highway 407. It continues the long Canadian IndyCar tradition previously held at Exhibition Place in Toronto (1986–2025, with interruptions).
Race distance is 90 laps on the 2.19-mile (3.52 km) circuit, totaling approximately 197.1 miles (317.2 km).
Green flag is scheduled for about 12:22 p.m. ET (pre-race coverage from noon ET) on FOX (USA) and TSN (Canada), with radio on the IndyCar Radio Network/SiriusXM.
Weekend schedule includes Practice 1 Friday (~3 p.m. ET), Practice 2 and qualifying Saturday, and a Sunday morning warmup. Support series include NASCAR Canada, USF Pro 2000, USF2000, and Radical Cup Canada.
Track details: The 12-turn temporary street course was designed by Tony Cotman (NZR Consulting). It features a flowing layout with long straightaways (cars expected to exceed 180 mph on the Enterprise Boulevard straight), technically challenging sectors, heavy braking zones, and a distinctive double-sided pit lane (garages on both sides, similar to recent Detroit and Arlington street races). Key features include a wide Turn 5 hairpin with multiple racing lines that feeds the long straight, underpasses of the GO train line, and passing opportunities (notably Turns 5–6 and 8–10). The surface is freshly prepared/smoothed compared to the notoriously bumpy old Toronto layout. Clockwise direction; no permanent banking (typical temporary street circuit).
Weather conditions: Forecasts for Markham/Toronto area on August 16 call for cooler, unsettled weather: highs around 23–27°C (73–80°F), with cloudy skies and a 50–70% chance of showers or thunderstorms. Overnight lows in the mid-to-upper teens °C. Light-to-moderate winds (easterly/southeasterly around 10–15 km/h possible). Track conditions could be dry or damp depending on timing of any precipitation; humidity and cooler temps may influence tire strategy and grip.
Race history: This is the first IndyCar event at Markham (part of a multi-year deal through at least 2030). It replaces the long-running Toronto street race at Exhibition Place. Historical Canadian context: Toronto races (often 85–103 laps depending on layout) produced winners including Michael Andretti (record 7), Scott Dixon (4), Will Power (3), Josef Newgarden (2), and recent victors such as Pato O’Ward (2025), Colton Herta (2024), Christian Lundgaard (2023), and Dixon (2022). Many eventual champions have succeeded in the GTA. No prior Markham results exist; teams have relied on simulators and track scans for preparation.
Recent driver forms and championship standings (after Portland, Race 13): Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) dominates with 6 wins in 2026 (including Portland) and a commanding ~510 points, leading Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global Honda) by about 110 points. David Malukas (Team Penske Chevrolet) is close behind in third (~392), followed by Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, ~375), Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren, ~355), Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Honda, recent Portland runner-up and Indy 500 winner), Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Ericsson, and Rinus VeeKay. Will Power (Andretti) has recent podium form. Rookies such as Dennis Hauger lead their class. Street-course specialists and consistent performers (Palou, Kirkwood, Power, O’Ward, Lundgaard, Dixon) are well-positioned; the new track levels the field somewhat via sim prep.
Driver matchups and keys: Palou seeks to extend his title march on a new street circuit where clean air, qualifying position, and restarts matter enormously. Kirkwood and the Andretti trio (with Power’s Toronto history) aim to close the gap. O’Ward (defending Canadian winner) and Lundgaard bring recent street success. Penske’s Malukas/Newgarden/McLaughlin and Meyer Shank’s Rosenqvist/Armstrong add depth. Strategy revolves around the double-sided pits, tire management (Firestone alternates required), traffic, and potential weather interruptions. First-lap chaos at Turn 5/hairpin and late restarts are likely flashpoints. Honda vs. Chevrolet engine battle continues, with Honda strong of late.
DRIVER ODDS
Alex Palou + 120
Kyle Kirkwood + 300
Christian Lundgaard + 800
Will Power + 900
Scott McLaughlin + 1000
Pato O’Ward + 1000
David Malukas + 1000
Felix Rosenqvist + 1400
Scott Dixon + 1800
Josef Newgarden + 2200
Marcus Ericsson + 3000
Marcus Armstrong + 3000
Rinus Veekay + 4000
Graham Rahal + 4000
Alexander Rossi + 6000
Santino Ferrucci + 10000
Romain Grosjean + 10000
Nolan Siegel + 10000
Mick Schumacher + 10000
Louis Foster + 10000
Kyffin Simpson + 10000
Dennis Hauger + 10000
Christian Rasmussen + 10000
Caio Collet + 10000
Sting Ray Robb + 50000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 15, 2026
