New street circuit tests teams as INDYCAR arrives in Markham
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES makes its first visit to Markham this weekend as competitors tackle a newly constructed temporary track through the eastern side of the city’s downtown. The 2.19-mile layout, featuring 12 turns and an unusual pit arrangement, introduces a fresh challenge for teams and will bring high-velocity racing directly into the community.
Andretti Global will field three drivers making their first appearances on the Streets of Markham, each carrying a background of success on Canadian street courses. The squad’s history north of the border and its recent form on temporary circuits position it as one of the teams to watch when the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham runs its scheduled 90-lap distance.
Track features and logistics
The municipal streets chosen for the course combine long, fast sections with tighter, heavy-braking complexes that are expected to force teams into difficult trade-offs on car setup and tyre management. One of the headline engineering features is what organisers describe as a double-sided pit lane — a configuration intended to manage expected traffic during pit cycles but one that will also test pit crews’ choreography and strategy under race conditions.
"unique double-sided pit lane"
Race organisers have outlined the basic event parameters as follows:
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Race | Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham – Streets of Markham |
| Round | 14 of 18 |
| Track | Street course, 12 turns |
| Laps | 90 |
| Length | 2.19 miles |
Andretti Global’s lineup and Canadian record
All three Andretti drivers come to Markham with notable street-circuit credentials in Canada. Marcus Ericsson, entering the weekend with the RVI Group as his primary partner for the event, has previously recorded top-five finishes on the Streets of Toronto and brings three career wins on street circuits into the event.
Will Power, the veteran member of the team, carries extensive experience in Canadian street races. Across his outings in Toronto, he has posted three wins, multiple podiums and a number of top-10 finishes — a record that underscores his comfort on narrow, urban circuits.
Kyle Kirkwood joins them as a five-time winner on street courses this season and arrives in Markham looking to extend his temporary-course momentum after recent podium form elsewhere on the calendar.
Team history north of Toronto
Andretti’s past record in Canada is substantial. In 17 starts on the Streets of Toronto, the operation has collected victories, poles and numerous podiums. Those results reflect a long-standing focus on adapting road- and street-course cars to tight urban environments — an expertise that will be put to use on Markham’s unfamiliar pavement.
- Drivers to watch: Marcus Ericsson, Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood.
- Key technical factor: double-sided pit lane and heavy-braking complexes that demand precise brake and suspension setup.
- Local impact: a new downtown street course will bring race operations and fan activity into eastern Markham.
What to expect for Markham residents
With the race running through city streets, residents can expect significant on-site operations as track infrastructure is installed and removed. The course’s mix of long straights and technical sections should deliver high-speed action punctuated by close-quarters racing — typical of urban circuits where passing windows are limited and strategy often decides outcomes.
For local teams and crews, the event is an opportunity to measure setups against fresh asphalt and to adapt pit procedures to an unusual lane layout. For fans, especially those who follow the series’ Canadian history, the weekend will be a first glimpse at what a permanent or recurring street event in Markham might look like.
The weekend’s proceedings will add a new chapter to INDYCAR’s presence in southern Ontario and mark a significant moment for Markham as the city stages its first major open-wheel series event.
