After nearly four decades on Toronto's lakefront, the Honda Indy is racing in Markham this weekend — and the city's new street circuit will be just as unfamiliar to the drivers as it is to local fans.

The temporary track winds around the Markham Pan Am Centre and the York University Markham campus, a course IndyCar drivers have never raced on before. The event runs Friday through Sunday, capping off with the main race on Sunday afternoon.

Weekend schedule

Free Fan Friday returns Aug. 14. With a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada, fans can access the grounds, where several other racing series will hold practice and qualifying sessions. An autograph session with IndyCar drivers is set for 12:30 p.m. at the Pan Am Centre.

On Saturday, qualifying for the headline race runs from 2:25 to 4 p.m., setting the starting order for Sunday. NASCAR's Canada Series takes the track afterward, followed by a concert from Kingston country group The Glorious Sons.

Sunday is race day. Driver introductions begin at 11:30 a.m., with the green flag at exactly 12:22 p.m. The field will run 90 laps before one driver takes the checkered flag.

Getting there

Organizers are urging fans to leave the car at home and take the GO train. Unionville GO Station sits steps from the track, and Metrolinx is adding service on the Stouffville Line for the weekend, according to Global News.

On all three days, three extra trains will run from Union Station to Unionville GO in the morning, returning in the afternoon and early evening. Exact times are posted on the GO Transit website.

For those driving, parking is available near the track, with the largest lots west of the event space off Enterprise Boulevard.

A five-year commitment

The race spent almost 40 years at Toronto's Exhibition Grounds, and its relocation to Markham — a first-time host for auto racing — caught many by surprise. Talks between IndyCar and the city began in January 2025, with the deal finalized by that July.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who was integral in landing the event, told Global News the move required a long-term commitment.

This is our moment to shine," he said. "We're extremely honoured to host this world-class event.

Scarpitti said the city made clear that a five-year stay was a condition of investing in the infrastructure, and IndyCar executives have since signalled they'd like to remain in Markham beyond that.

He estimates the weekend will generate $50 million in economic activity, with benefits reaching hotels and restaurants across York Region and into Scarborough and North York.

The benefits to our community far outweigh some of the disruption," he said. "The disruption is temporary, but the impact is going to go on for many years to come.

A tricky new track

Drivers have had to prepare for the circuit on simulators. Kyffin Simpson, a 21-year-old IndyCar driver entering his third season, told Global News he expects the layout to be challenging.

It seems like it's gonna be tricky," Simpson said. "It looks like a technical track which isn't usually my kind of track, but I love all sorts of challenges.

He added that passing could be difficult, though the layout may invite some bold moves on race day.