Friday track sessions at Honda Indy Markham cancelled

Markham's inaugural hosting of the Honda Indy car race has encountered a significant setback, with all track sessions scheduled for Friday cancelled. Fans who gathered for the "Free Fan Friday" event, a traditional prelude to the main race, were left disappointed as IndyCar officials announced that no cars would hit the newly resurfaced track until Saturday, at the earliest.

Officials cited safety concerns related to the track's condition as the reason for the cancellation. The temporary street circuit, which transforms downtown Markham into a world-class racing venue, was constructed this week. It spans between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, the Unionville GO tracks, and Highway 407.

IndyCar representatives have apologized to the fans for the inconvenience and assured them that Saturday's schedule will be adjusted to include the events originally planned for Friday. The primary focus remains on ensuring the track is deemed safe before any racing activities can proceed, including practice for Sunday's main event.

This marks a bumpy start for Markham's first time hosting the IndyCar race, which previously held its Canadian stop on the Toronto waterfront for decades. The partnership between IndyCar and the City of Markham was announced in September 2025, with the event expected to draw over 150,000 visitors and generate substantial economic impact for the Greater Toronto Area.