MARKHAM, Ontario – IndyCar's first practice for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham has been delayed. On Thursday, it became clear that the construction of the new street track was behind schedule, with several elements still needing to be installed for racing. Although progress was made overnight, not enough was completed to start the practice, which was scheduled for 3:05.
Green Savoree Racing Promotion, the race's promoter, is still working on several elements of the track, specifically the runoff area in the tight Turn 5 hairpin. IndyCar will not go on the track until it's deemed safe by FIA regulations and IndyCar's competition team. IndyCar prefers for at least one of the three support series in attendance to go on track before it does, the series told IndyStar.
Sunday's race, set for noon, will be the first the series has had at the 12-turn, 2.19-mile street course. IndyCar previously raced at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto, over 20 miles southwest of Markham.
The Markham race is the second of three new street races in IndyCar this year, with the Grand Prix of Arlington (Arlington, Texas) occurring in March and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix (Washington, D.C.) set for Aug. 23.
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 practice at Markham delayed due to track construction; what we know