For the first time since 2019, IndyCar returns to the Streets of Toronto, where 25 drivers will duke it out for a win. Read on for a Honda Indy Toronto preview.
Two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio, Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin captured his second career victory, launching him into seventh in the championship standings. In the meantime, Andretti Autosport had a sort of on-track meltdown, resulting in a now-infamous post-race team meeting. However, that is still not the biggest drama in the world of IndyCar right now. On Tuesday afternoon, in purely bizarre fashion, both Chip Ganassi Racing and McLaren (the organization, not specifically IndyCar) announced that Alex Palou would be under contract for them in 2023, spurring some exciting drama going into the Honda Indy Toronto, which will be detailed in an article to come.
On track, however, the product is due to be just as exciting as it is off track. Will Power and Scott Dixon have won three races each around the Exhibition Place street circuit, and Josef Newgarden has won twice. However, over half of the current grid has never raced in an IndyCar around these streets, as the series hasn’t made an appearance in Canada since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That fact levels the field that much more, as rookies and veterans alike must relearn all 11 turns of the circuit.
Michael Andretti won an impressive SEVEN times on the Streets of Toronto.
Check out the 2001 Molson #IndyTO finish where he scored his 7th victory.#INDYCAR // @FollowAndretti pic.twitter.com/ydyiw9uRFa
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 11, 2022
The Circuit
Located three miles from downtown Toronto, Exhibition Place has hosted American open-wheel racing since 1986, only taking breaks for reunification in 2008 and COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. The circuit starts out on Toronto’s Princes Boulevard, heading toward the Princes’ Gate before it takes a right towards Lake Shore Boulevard. The track curves right onto its longest straight before taking an even harder right at turn three back toward land. Turn four curves back to the left, setting drivers up for the bumpy turn five back onto Princes Boulevard. Turn six is a slow right-handed curve onto Manitoba Boulevard before turn eight, another 90-degree, right-handed turn. To finish off the circuit, drivers whip through some esses before dashing back down towards the finish line to finish off a quick, chaotic lap around the 11-turn, 1.7-mile circuit.
Championship Standings
Marcus Ericsson still holds on to his lead, but now it is just 20 points going into Toronto.
- Marcus Ericsson, Chip Ganassi Racing – 321 points
- Will Power, Team Penske – 301 points
- Josef Newgarden, Team Penske – 287 points
- Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing – 286 points
- Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren SP – 256 points
For a full rundown of the championship standings, click here.
Race Predictions – Honda Indy Toronto
At Toronto, I must defer to the team who has dominated on street courses in 2022, that being Team Penske. Teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power will have a tight duel to the end, as Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward will clean up the scraps behind them, taking third place.
- Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
- Will Power, Team Penske
- Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren SP
How to Watch (All Times in EST)
- Practice 1: Friday, 7/15 – 2:30 P.M. on Peacock
- Practice 2: Saturday, 7/16 – 10:00 A.M. on Peacock
- Qualifying: Saturday, 7/16 – 2:00 P.M. on Peacock
- Warmup: Sunday, 7/17 – 10:55 A.M. on Peacock
- Honda Indy Toronto: Sunday, 7/17 – 3:00 P.M. on Peacock (Green flag at 3:20)
All IndyCar and Indy Lights sessions are broadcasted on the radio through the IMS Radio Network, which airs on Sirius XM and the IndyCar mobile app, along with FM and AM affiliates nationwide.
For the 2022 season, all IndyCar and Indy Lights sessions will be streamed worldwide through IndyCar Live. For a full list of international availability, click here.
