Honda IndyCar Heads to New Markham Street Circuit

The NTT IndyCar Series is set to introduce a new street circuit this weekend with the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. The race, taking place in Markham, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto with over 300,000 residents, marks a new venue for the series. Drivers and teams have utilized HRC US's Driver-In-The-Loop simulator to prepare for the unknown conditions of this inaugural event.

Markham Debut and Race Preparation

The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham will be broadcast live on Fox on Sunday, August 16, 2026, starting at 12 PM ET. This event represents the series' latest addition of a new street course, requiring extensive preparation from teams. Simulator technology plays a crucial role, allowing drivers to familiarize themselves with the track layout and potential challenges before arriving on site.

Additional coverage for the race weekend includes practice sessions and morning warm-ups on FS2, with Saturday's qualifying rounds airing on FS1. Full race coverage will also be available via the INDYCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation (Channel 160).

Honda's Strong Performance and Championship Lead

Honda-powered teams and drivers have demonstrated significant success throughout the 2026 season, particularly on street circuits. They have secured victories in every street circuit event held so far this year, including three all-Honda podium sweeps. These results account for four of Honda's eight total wins this season.

Alex Palou, driving for Honda, recently achieved his sixth win of the season at Portland International Raceway, contributing to an all-Honda podium. This victory further extended his championship lead to 110 points. Palou is now the third driver in NTT IndyCar Series history to record back-to-back seasons with six or more wins, with his 2026 victories also including St. Petersburg, Barber, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Detroit, and Nashville. He will be seeking his first win in Canada at the Markham event, having previously finished second in Toronto.

Notable street circuit wins for Honda this year include Palou's victories at St. Petersburg, Long Beach, and Detroit, where he led podium sweeps. Kyle Kirkwood also led an all-Honda podium at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. Honda has a history of strong performance on street courses, winning all five events in 2023, and three out of four in both 2024 and 2025.

Historical Success and Manufacturer Standings

Honda's consistent performance on street circuits has contributed to its lead in the manufacturers' championship, currently standing at 1129 points against 996 for its closest competitor. The Markham street circuit, while new, is located in an area where Honda-powered teams have a history of success.

In the Toronto area, Honda drivers and teams have accumulated 13 wins in both CART and IndyCar competitions. Colton Herta secured a victory for Honda in 2024, leading a 1-7 finish and marking Honda's third consecutive win in Toronto. Christian Lundgaard earned his first NTT IndyCar Series win in Toronto in 2023, and Scott Dixon claimed his fourth Toronto victory in 2022. Other past Honda winners in Toronto include Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Michael Andretti, Alex Zanardi, and Adrian Fernandez.

The upcoming Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham presents another opportunity for Honda to continue its strong season and build on its historical success in the region.