Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham 2026: Inside the Inaugural IndyCar Race

It was a sunny August weekend in Markham, Ontario, as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES made its highly anticipated debut on the streets of the city for the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham.

 

For the first time, Canada’s IndyCar race left its longtime home in downtown Toronto and arrived at a brand-new 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre temporary street circuit in Markham Centre. The new track brought high-speed open-wheel racing to a completely fresh setting and the drivers were clearly ready for the challenge.

 

With practice, qualifying and support-series racing throughout the weekend, followed by Sunday’s 90-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, Markham was transformed into a full weekend of motorsport.

 

Press Day: A New Track, A New Chapter

Before the cars hit the track, media got their first look at the new Streets of Markham circuit during press activities.

Check out this exclusive interview with Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti ⬇️

The pavement was incredibly fresh and smooth, creating a completely different environment from the previous Toronto street course. During the press conference, drivers shared their excitement about experiencing a new circuit and the opportunity to be part of the first IndyCar race in Markham.

Among the drivers attending press day were Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, Rinus VeeKay and Kyffin Simpson, who offered their thoughts ahead of the inaugural weekend.

The event also brought together local and motorsport personalities, including Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Natalie Pierre, who helped unveil one of the weekend’s most beautiful details: the official race trophy.

A Trophy Worth Racing For

The podium trophies for the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham were created by Herend Canada, bringing a touch of Hungarian craftsmanship and luxury.

The trophies were brought to Canada with William Ashley.

 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at press day, including exclusive driver interviews, the excitement surrounding the brand-new Markham street circuit – Watch below ⬇️

 

Free Fan Friday

Free Fan Friday gave fans the chance to meet their favourite NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers, grab selfies and enjoy meet-and-greets, despite a track delay, It was a fun way to kick off the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham and get fans ready for an action-packed weekend.

 

All donations from the event went to Make-A-Wish Canada, helping grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Learn more about Make-A-Wish Canada: makeawish.ca

Follow SoViolette & Polonez News for a Weekend of Racing

From the moment the cars took to the new circuit, the atmosphere around Markham was electric.

 

 

 

 

The weekend featured plenty of action across the circuit, from close racing and dramatic battles to crashes, mechanical issues and the constant challenge of managing the brand-new street course.

 

A little bit of Paddock Fun

 

 

And it wasn’t only INDYCAR bringing the speed.

The NASCAR Canada Series also joined the weekend, returning to the Greater Toronto Area for the first time since 2023 with note-worthy names such as Sam Fellows

Saturday became the inaugural NASCAR Canada race on the new circuit, with Marc-Antoine Camirand taking the win, followed by Andrew Ranger and L.P. Dumoulin on the podium.

The Inaugural IndyCar Race in Markham

Then came Sunday.

The green flag dropped on the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, with 25 NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars taking on the new 12-turn street circuit for 90 laps.

The race delivered everything you want from a street-course event: tight battles, crashes, strategy, fuel-saving and plenty of drama.

Romain Grosjean found himself at the front of the field, leading 28 laps for Dale Coyne Racing. Behind him, Marcus Ericsson was steadily working his way forward after starting fourth and dropping as far back as ninth during the pit cycles.

As the race entered its final stages, the battle tightened.

Ericsson began closing the gap to Grosjean, setting up a dramatic finish that would come down to the final few laps.

With just four laps remaining, Ericsson made his move

The Andretti Global driver passed Grosjean to take the lead and ultimately secured the victory — his fifth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win and first since joining Andretti Global.

The Podium: A Picture-Perfect Finish

When the checkered flag finally fell, Marcus Ericsson stood on the top step of the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham podium, followed by Romain Grosjean in second and Will Power in third.

Ericsson’s comeback was especially impressive after a challenging run through the field, while Grosjean came agonizingly close to claiming his first victory. Will Power completed the podium after starting all the way at the back of the grid and fighting his way through the field.

So fun seeing 2 Former Formula 1 Drivers on the podium !

For Ericsson, the victory ended a 63-race winless drought, making the moment even more special.

A New Chapter for Canadian Motorsport

The inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham was nothing short of action-packed.

From the NASCAR Canada Series and its inaugural Markham winner to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the weekend brought multiple racing disciplines, international drivers and thousands of fans together on a brand-new Canadian street circuit.

There were crashes, car malfunctions, intense battles and even drivers managing their fuel right down to the final laps. But that unpredictability is exactly what makes street-course racing so exciting.

And for Markham, this was more than just another race weekend. It was the beginning of a new chapter for Canadian motorsport.

After years of covering motorsport and automotive events, it was exciting to be trackside for the very first Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham and witness history as it happened.

Follow SoViolette and Polonez News for more motorsport, automotive events, trackside coverage and stories from the world of racing.

Relive the celebration Here 

Who’s your favourite driver? 

Editorial Team – Photography & Video: Violette Moussouni, Oleg Hmelnits, Lyn Monforte & SoViolette / Polonez Team

Special Thanks: Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Green Savoree Racing Promotions & INDYCAR

Until next time,

xo,