The 2026 INDYCAR season is rolling into Canada this Sunday, August 16, for something brand new: the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. This isn’t just another race; it’s the first time INDYCAR has hit the streets of Markham, and everyone is wondering who’s going to conquer this fresh circuit.
Markham’s New Track is Ready to Rumble
This isn’t your grandma’s race track, folks. The new Streets of Markham circuit, located right in downtown Markham north of Toronto, is a beast waiting to be tamed. We’re talking 2.19 miles of pure adrenaline, packed with 12 turns, some killer fast straightaways, and sections that demand serious technical skill from every driver. Oh, and it’s even got a double-sided pit lane, which could add some extra drama. They’re sending these cars out for 90 laps, covering a total of 197.1 miles, so expect a full-on battle. This race isn’t just new to Markham; it’s continuing Ontario’s long INDYCAR tradition, which previously saw 39 races at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Pato O’Ward took the final win on that old Toronto circuit in 2025, but with a brand-new layout here, there’s no defending champ for Markham. History is about to be made.
Palou’s Hot Streak Hits a Fresh Challenge
Coming into this inaugural Markham event, all eyes are on Alex Palou. The man just absolutely owned the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland on August 9, snatching a huge win on that road course. Can he carry that momentum and figure out this brand-new street circuit? It’s a completely different animal, and that’s what makes INDYCAR so awesome. We get to see the best drivers adapt on the fly. You won’t want to miss a second of this, and thankfully, it’s easy to catch all the action. FOX coverage for the race kicks off Sunday, August 16, at noon ET, with the green flag officially flying at 12:22 p.m. ET.
The whole weekend is packed, too. Practice and qualifying coverage starts Friday, August 14, on FOX Sports networks, running all the way through Saturday, August 15. If you’re a streamer, FOX One has you covered for all practices, qualifying, and the warmup live, plus you can stream three days free on there. Get ready to see who makes history on Markham’s wild new streets!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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