Markham’s inaugural hosting of Canada’s only IndyCar race is off to a bumpy start.
After fans waited for hours to see some action on the track Friday, IndyCar representatives said no cars will be hitting the newly resurfaced race course until Saturday, organizers said in a statement.
“Ensuring the safety of the drivers and the completion of the certification process of competing on a brand-new racetrack delayed all on-track activities,” they wrote.
Doors opened at 8:30 Saturday morning, with the first practice runs set to begin a short time later.
Organizers have apologized to fans who came out to the Free Fan Friday event, a long-standing tradition of past races.
They say practice for the big race on Sunday will go ahead once the track is deemed safe.
This is Markham’s first time hosting IndyCar, which previously made its Canadian home on the Toronto waterfront for decades.
IndyCar and Markham announced their partnership last September. The temporary street circuit was built for the first time this week and runs between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, the Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407.
–with files from The Canadian Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ad Choices
