MARKHAM, Ontario – After IndyCar had to call off Friday's practice session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, cars have made it on track for the rescheduled session Saturday morning.
With the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, being behind on preparation for the new street course in Markham, all on-track activities were placed on hold Friday before being eventually postponed to Saturday. This is the first year that the series is racing at the 12-turn, 2.19-mile street course after racing at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto for 37 of the last 40 years.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site,” IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.
"Once we hit the track, we believe the circuit will be spectacular. We would like to thank the city of Markham for the major support it has made to provide IndyCar a layout, which is fast, technical and will put on a terrific show on Sunday."
Green Savoree Racing Promotions needed to receive and install the necessary tire packs for the tire barriers in runoff areas. The three support series in attendance – USF 2000, USF Pro 2000 and NASCAR Canada – completed their practice sessions Saturday morning before Indy cars got on track. IndyCar has another practice at 2:30 before qualifying at 6:30. The race begins at noon on Sunday.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar begins practice at Markham after Friday's cancellation