Reason Behind the Delay in Markham Track Build
The construction of the 2.19-mile, 12-turn street course in Markham began on July 19. The course is located at a GO Train station that remains operational; however, its parking lots have been converted into a double pit lane for Indy Car use. The parking lots closest to this pit lane were fully handed over to race promoters Green Savoree Promotions by the end of Wednesday, August 12. No major issues are affecting the course; it just needs some final touches-something race promoters and Indy Car officials were trying to finish up on Friday.Drivers Look Forward to Racing on a Finished Course
The newly repaved track surface has received high praise from drivers within the Indy Car Series and promises a smooth racing experience. The grandstands look fantastic and were packed with loyal fans as early as 9 a. m. ET. “I think honestly the track looks fantastic,” said six-time NTT Indy Car Series Champion Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing. “It looks really cool. It looks like just most of the other street stuff, but yeah, this is typically expected.” “I think for a first-time event, the surface looks really good. Track layout looks really good. A ton of fans here already, which is really cool.” Dixon shared his expectations about how well he thinks cars will perform once they’re out on track: he believes it’s going to be great for Indy Cars. “Like the surface could be one that grips up really well or doesn’t at all,” Dixon explained. “I think a lot of it will depend on just how the tire really works with the surface. I think from what we’ve seen in simulations before this surface was completed showed it was bumpier than expected; now it looks really good.”Alex Palou Leads Championship Race Heading Into Markham
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou currently leads Kyle Kirkwood from Andretti Global by a solid margin of 110 points in pursuit of winning the 2026 Indy Car Series Championship. Each race allows winners to earn up to 110 points if they also secure pole position and lead most laps during that event. Even if Palou skips two races while Kirkwood wins both at Markham and next week’s streets of Washington D. C., Palou would still hold a two-point advantage. Of course, Palou intends to compete this weekend and is viewed as one of those likely to win.Once finished , he feels confident it’ll be an exciting street circuit.
“It looks great , like th e layout and th e new tarmac,” Palou stated. “I think it’s going t o b e one o f our m ost fun street courses o f th e year and o f th e calendar. I think M ark ham has d one an incredible job with th e investment , with th e layout , and everything. So far , it lo oks incredible.”
“As I said , th e tarmac being brand new , like that’s something we don’t have. We’ve never had it on a street co urse an d th e layout lo oks good. There are some overtaking spots. It’s super wide at some areas , narrow at some others , but it lo oks great.”
Construction continues on th e M ark ham circuit. Th e opening o f th e track an d start o f activities was delayed because th e project wasn’t finished according t o schedule during th e NTT INDYCAR Series Ontario Honda Dealers INDY at M ark ham on August 14 , 2026 i n M ark ham , Ontario. (Photo by Michael L Levitt /Lumen via Getty Images)
Alexander Rossi fro m ECR is another driver who appreciates everything about thi s street circuit but remains sidelined until construction wraps up.
“I think thi s layout is incredible ,” Rossi mentioned. “Obviously , th e surface lo oks great. A lot o f fencing i s awesome – Arlington spec. So I believe there’s plenty o f positives regarding wha t we ha ve ahead.”
Will Power fr om Andretti Global stands out as an experienced veteran within thi s series who’s faced multiple first-day delays over several years related t o incomplete tracks including Baltimore ’11 Houston ’13 San Jose Champ Car rac es i n ’05 an d Music City Grand Prix Nashville ’21 etc. He recalls each instance involved first-day setbacks due t o various issues linked directly back down line like completing various features across tracks or setting u p spectator spaces effectively enough too ! However even still Power’s enthusiasm shines through considering their inaugural outing despite starting off slower than planned!
“It’s probably not merely just another ordinary venue – rather I’d say it’s likely going down amongst best ones ever seen!” states powerful excitedly expressed! “Arlington held its own (Java House GP), so presentation wise overall went quite smoothly-but here? I’m focusing solely upon surfacing aspect.. full resurface means simply no other place can match against what lies before us!”
Next steps involve ensuring completion occurs swiftly allowing events continue unimpeded throughout weekend celebrating unique international edition slated taking place around year-2026!
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