Friday Adventure at the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto Part 5

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Once again, the sound of around 700 horsepower pulsed the Toronto waterfront in a sound wave I can only term angelic. The keepers of Honda engine power, the drivers of Dallara race chassis vehicles was given a second chance to burn up the steaming hot streets of Toronto. Taking several vantage points across the track, I was able to hear the tones of the open wheel IZOD INDYCAR machines blitzing the race track.
In the afternoon session, the notes of the morning session have provoked a harder charging mentality amongst the drivers. Only 8 minutes into the start of the IZOD INDYCAR  Series' second practice, the #77 Sam Schmidt Motorsports car piloted by Canadian hero Alex Tagliani spun in turn 8. Briefly stoppd on the course, Tagliani's car was impacted by Graham Rahal's #38 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara-Honda. Creating the first full course yellow in the session, the practice restarted promptly after the Holatro Safety Team were able to assist both vehicles in restarting. Afternoon practice for the IZOD INDYCAR Series was slowed once more when 2004 Toronto race winner Sebastien Bourdais stopped in the same turn 8 area as the Tagliani/Rahal caution prior.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

The second practice ended with the #12 Penske Racing car piloted by Will Power claiming the edge on the 1.755-mile race course. Maintaining a cautious optimism, Power commented, “The Verizon car is good, but we are still not quick enough.” The reigning winner of the Honda Indy Toronto, the Australian mentioned, “It is great to be in Toronto, through, and really good to see all the fans.” A final chance to get an impression for the Toronto street course during the first day of the event's three day run, drivers were both eager to rest after a testing day on the bumpy city streets and debrief with crews as they search for more speed.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

The fourth fastest in the session, Canadian James Hinchcliffe provided a lap giving the hometown crowd a real reason to cheer. As with every Honda Indy Toronto I've attended the appearance of Paul Tracy is equally as appreciated regardless to his practice time performance. Besides, any Paul Tracy fan knows the “Thrill from West Hill” truly shines during the actual race.
Following the IZOD INDYCAR practice, the excitement level at the track was maintained by the performance of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series conducting their time trials for Saturday's main event. Divided into groups, the stock cars were released up to the track in order to post fast time. The most anticipated performances during the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series qualifying were expected from Andrew Ranger and Jason Bowles making part-time appearance in the tour. Both skilled road racers, it was Andrew Ranger who posted a pole-winning effort with Bowles settling for a front row starting position beside his main opponent. Crucially fighting for the championship in Canada's top stock car racing series, Scott Steckly was third quickest in the #22 Dodge. One of my last duties at the race track was to observe the post-qualifying press conference held in the conference room.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Unlike the previous years when I had so much fun at the track but knew when it was time to leave, this year's Honda Indy Toronto was not so clear. Even past 5 PM, the track environment still felt lively as spectators were still rounding the track and walking through the paddock areas of race teams. On the track, the Castrol Canadian Touring Cars were rolling with the sound and look of street cars.
Witnessing the first day of the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto, the health of the major motor racing festival could be given a clean bill. Thanks to some brilliant weather, successful promotion through events such as Honda's Free Friday, and the gaining stability of the headlining IZOD INDYCAR Series, this 2011 Honda Indy first day lured one of the biggest crowds since the early 2000s.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

As I left the race track, I was gladly greeted by a Dr Pepper brand representative providing a complimentary can of pop as a final act of courtesy to race fans. Leaving the track where I partook in the start of what could be one of the greatest Honda Indy events since INDYCAR reunification, the inefficiency of the City of Toronto was presented with the TTC Streetcar service. Normally, I am very grateful and would speak highly for the TTC service. However, for some bizarre reason, the TTC streetcar would not receive passengers near the Princess Gate requiring prospective riders to walk more than half a kilometer down the road to the next streetcar stop. While it is all right for someone able bodied such as myself, my concern was over families with little children walking across the roadway used by under-considerate Toronto drivers. It was also disappointing that the TTC dispatched a smaller streetcar to pick up the large crowd leaving the 2011 Honda Indy.

Despite this late day inconvenience, my excursion to the Honda Indy Toronto can not be substantially impacted by a return to real life. In fact, the Honda Indy is one of the few times in the entire year I personally feel completely alive. Unable to completely bring myself to realizing my emotions, it has taken me about a month to completely finish my thoughts and experiences of this one day. To celebrate the automobile in the best fashion through good natured competition, cars being unleashed to their full potential, even the knowledge I am only one of many in this Toronto makes me feel so enriched by what is probably the only love I need in my life.

The photo presented below is a complication of afternoon practice action for the IZOD INDYCAR Series.

Friday Adventure at the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto Part 4

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Around noontime, the red-hot exhausts of five racing series worth of vehicles heated the CNE grounds as the Honda Indy Toronto entered in full swing. It was also at this time in the sun has sufficiently baked the Canadian city. Embracing the heat of the new afternoon, the fifth and final form of motorsports given a crack at the road course was the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Of all the series that practiced on the Toronto street course, the fiberglass-bodied stock cars provided the most eventful session of the still-young weekend of racing.

Kerry Micks' car stopping on track plus damage to the cars of Steven Matthews and 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion DJ Kennington concluded the session. Based on the prestige and crowds attending the 2011 Honda Indy, the NASCAR Canadian Tires Series event on the Saturday was considered a major race. Drawing names like Jason Bowles and Canada's own Andrew Ranger away from action south of the 49th parallel, the preparation for the 100-mile stock car event.

Attending the Honda Indy for so many years has given me a reliable natural compass to guide me to where I can expect to see action on and off the track. Following the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series practice, I planted myself within the paddock area of the stock car series. Inside Toronto's Direct Energy Centre, the stock car roared up to their small service areas behind their race haulers. With NASCAR Canadian Tire Series qualifying only 4 hours away, the #15 car crew of Steven Matthews and the #17 Castrol crew of DJ Kennington were quickly sent to work on restoring their race machines to peak performance.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Much like the IZOD INDYCAR Series rolling down Gasoline Alley during the morning practice at Toronto, audiences appeared in droves to see cars and drivers up close belonging to Canada's premier stock car racing series. By the appearance of men, women and children hustled inside the Direct Energy Centre, it seems the Honda Indy is reigniting that magnetic race enthusiasm for auto racing in Toronto.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Back on the 1.755-mile track, the Ferrari Challenge series opened up their Italian-built V-8 powerplants down the frontstretch. One of the drivers competing in the 2011 debut of the Ferrari Challenge at Toronto was popular businessman and TV Personality Robert Harjavec. After being out of almost every deal that came into the Canadian version of the business pitch show Dragon's Den, Harjavec was in fact 'in' control of a F420 Challenge car numbered #007.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Notification of a massive autograph signing in the INDYCAR Fan Zone instantly lured the most anxious fans wanting to have the signature and a few seconds with their idols from the IZOD INDYCAR Series. While IZOD INDYCAR afternoon practice sent out exhaust notes of Honda V-8 engines, over a hundred individuals awaited patiently in the hot summer weather for an event still more than an hour away. Danica Patrick, James Hinchclffe, Paul Tracy and JR Hildebrand were among those seated at the head of fans greeting each admirer warmly.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Bringing memories of when I waited in line for autographs from the 2001 Players Racing duo of Alex Tagliani and Patrick Carpentier, the wait can certainly be worth the time spent. I remembered on that day leaving the autograph session I inadvertently ended up in the way of Michael Andretti riding a scooter back to his race team's paddock. Unfortunately, I would not obtain my first digital camera until late in that year. Andretti and the #6 Newman/Haas Racing team went on to win the Toronto race with Alex Tagliani finishing just behind in 2nd place. I mused afterwards that if Michael Andretti would have accidentally ran into me he could have won the CART championship.

In the next edition, for what will be my final chapter in this visit to the 2011 Honda Indy, I will conclude this tale with a revisit from the IZOD INDYCAR Series and the exciting qualifying of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Friday Adventure at the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto Part 3

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

While the warm weather and outdoor spectacles such as the Honda Indy is quite agreeable, my long-time spent under the sun again fought my skin. Yes, for the three year in a row, I'm reporting how I have burnt myself after spending a day at the Honda Indy. However, I'll note that this year I was able to greatly minimize my sunburn after learning through past visits the measure I need to take in protecting my skin. One of the obvious measures for beating the extended periods of direct sunlight was to go inside. The Direct Energy Centre, the Media Centre as well as a Honda display set up behind the circuit's Gold grandstands served as not only shelter but two existed as spotlights of entertainment.

Assembled in a temporary building, the Honda display featured a large assortment of automobiles. From a first-generation Honda Civic dating back to 1973 inside, the newest ninth-generation 2012 Civic sat. Embracing the outside with the 2012 Honda Civic, a fleet of modified late model production cars that included Acura NSX models were found around the sheltered area.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

With production cars in the open of daylight, ironically two race cars resided inside the Honda Indy display. Two cars relating to Canadian open wheel racing great Paul Tracy, a replica of the #8 Make-A-Wish Canada-sponsored Dragon Racing Indy car the 'Thrill from West Hill' had been wheeling around the 11-turns of the Toronto street course in 2011 sat. Beside the modern Dallara chassis, a Lola chassis wearing the Players livery and the #3 represented the latest Forsythe Racing car Paul Tracy drove in 2003 to a commanding flag-to-flag victory in the now-defunct Champ Car series. Though the show car was presented in speedway trim (note the smaller, flatter wing pieces), I was not entirely sure if this car was the exact Lola chassis Tracy won the 2003 Toronto race. Another detail I noted on the car was the absence of the Ford Blue Oval badges. Though it is sensational for Honda to bid honour to Canadian racing history, I feel it is a bit of a 'tsk-tsk moment' for Honda to display the vehicle with elements of its authentic livery deleted.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Concluding their morning practice session, the IZOD INDYCAR teams and drivers lead themselves back to their paddock area. In the early track time for the 2011 Honda Indy of Toronto, the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing #10 car of Dario Franchitti posted the early benchmark time of 1 minute, 1.5676 seconds. Only 6/100th of a second ahead of Penske's Helio Castroneves, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Justin Wilson and Will Power rounded out the top-5 in the morning practice. The crews as well the drivers accompanied Indy cars being commuted back to the IZOD INDYCAR paddock area. Almost every driver rode motorized scooters seeking a quick travel back to debrief with their teams prior to lunch. Reassembling myself along Gasoline Alley, I watched as several drivers such as Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti and the fastest driver in practice Dario Franchitti rush back to their team haulers. I even caught 7-time Toronto race winner, now IZOD INDYCAR superteam owner Michael Andretti proceeding back to the pit road area.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

In my closest experience following the first IZOD INDYCAR practice at the Honda Indy was with #78 HVM Racing driver Simona de Silvestro. Simona de Silvestro was racing in Toronto two weeks after missing the Iowa Speedway round due to failing a post-concussion test following a crash at the Milwaukee Mile. Catching her quickly as she proceeded to her team's hauler lot, only getting a few seconds to talk with Simona de Silvestro, I simply expressed how it was great to see her competing at Toronto understanding the way the last half of June went for the Swiss driver. She said “thank you” but seemed more preoccupied with finding speed in her HVM Racing Dallara-Honda. 23rd of the 26 cars that logged speeds on the Toronto race track after the first practice, its easy to assume de Silvestro had the pursuit of speed on her mind. A quick meeting, it was nonetheless eventful for a person who has difficulty engaging in conversation; such as myself.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Immediately following practice, a large portion of the wonderfully immense crowd positioned themselves politely alongside one of the IZOD INDYCAR team's paddock work stalls. Standing outside of temporary fences and barriers, the race fans's most ideal scenario is to capture a look at their favourite driver. As can be expected at this first of two Canadian races, Alex Tagliani garnered a gigantic crowd outside of his #77 Sam Schmidt Motorsports team paddock area. The fastest Canadian driver in the first practice at the Toronto track, Tagliani returns to Canada after gaining international attention as the Indianapolis 500 pole winner earlier this year. In a related story inside the IZOD INDYCAR Fan Zone, Hot Wheels finally released the diecast version of the blue Hot Wheels-sponsored car Tagliani drove last year. For whatever reason, I did not buy the 1:64 scale replica vehicle and I'm continuing to regret it weeks after the Honda Indy.  

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

As the morning completed, my first camera battery chose a most convenient time to give up its juice. With hotter weather and some pivotal action upcoming, I prepared to reload for the afternoon action at the 2011 Honda Indy of Toronto.

Friday Adventure at the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto Part 2

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

With the Castrol Canadian Touring Car series, Ferrari Challenge and Firestone Indy Lights already having a crack at the temporary street course on the 2011 Honda Indy Friday, it was time for the headlining IZOD INDYCAR Series to blitz the Toronto track.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Venturing through the team's paddock area ahead of the practice, I positioned myself on the road stretch between the paddock and pit lane called Gasoline Alley in preparations for seeing majority of the cars and drivers for the first time on the Friday. One of the first cars rolling down gasoline alley was the #9 Target/Chip Ganassi Racing car to be piloted by New Zealand's Scott Dixon. The #82 KV Racing Technology car of Tony Kanaan was wheeled out just behind the #9 car for the morning practice session. Coming off the 2nd place at Iowa Speedway two weeks before, Kanaan has come close to race victory many times in the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR season.

As the open wheel racing vehicles began collecting in greater numbers on Gasoline Alley, it has drawn an increased number of race spectators. It was this time in my Friday visit, I realized two things about the 2011 Honda Indy of Toronto; firstly, there were definitely a greater number of race fans at the event and second some of them seem to get even ruder with each passing year. I admit I do not appreciate being in large crowds but there is something that needs to be said on people who crowd me within inches. As the IZOD INDYCAR Series vehicles were preparing to enter pit road for first practice, some people insisted on being almost directly behind me. Finding it extremely uncomfortable, I lowered myself to keeling in order to get some space. As a person who does not like cramped crowds, I decided after many of the cars and drivers have flooded into the pit road stalls that I would regain my insanity by visiting the Firestone Indy Lights paddock. After quickly taking in the action on the support series paddock area, the Honda engines of the IZOD INDYCAR Series engines began to buzz around the 1.755-mile circuit.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

The headliner, the big show for the 2011 Honda Indy, the IZOD INDYCAR Series rolled into town for their first road course race since the Sao Paulo Indy 300 at the beginning of May. In risk of having some serious cobwebs for to shake off their left and right actions with the steering wheel, the drivers and teams performed near flawlessly on the first practice session. However, there was one incident where hometown rookie driver James Hinchcliffe stalled his #06 Newman/Haas Racing Dallara-Honda. Making his first laps around the street circuit as a driver in the IZOD INDYCAR Series, Hinchcliffe's history with the race dates back through childhood where he attended the event religiously. James Hinchcliffe has referred to the INDYCAR event in Toronto as “Christmas”. Believe me, I can certainly identify with that feeling.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Sitting in the frontstretch grandstands, I overlooked the pit road work of the teams tending to their Dallara-Honda racing machines. Hearing the rush of IZOD INDYCAR vehicles alongside the start/finish stretch, most of the morning practice session time was spent overlooking the pits of the #06 Newman/Haas Racing team and #5 KV Racing Technology team serving Japanese driver Takuma Sato. As 24 degree Celsius temperatures in the air cook the track surface (said to be 38 degrees in surface temperature), the 1 hour, 15 minute time on track gave a true picture to the reason I love summer.

Below is a video compilation I created on Canadian driver James Hinchcliffe and the #06 Newman/Haas Racing at the Honda Indy Friday.

James Hinchcliffe at 2011 Honda Indy Toronto

Friday Adventure at the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto Part 1

Photo by Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

For the past two years, I have been able to regale readers of this website on my trip to the Honda Indy of Toronto. An action-filled Friday, I regret the fact it took me so long to complete a posting relating to my trip. On top of other responsibilities, an intention to post the entire race day in one post would result in a long-winded mess for the Internet. I know, I tend to be rather detailed in the composition of my articles so I've began to break down my morning and afternoon recap into parts. Please enjoy this first part of my attendance of 2011 Honda Indy
With the Honda Indy Toronto crossing forth into its 25th anniversary since the first event won by Bobby Rahal, my true relationship to the race started 12 years later. Able to physically attend my first “Molson Indy” event, I have always been welcomed with a spectacle of auto racing life and culture I could never resist the following year. A major tourist draw for 25 years based on celebration of the many allures for motorsport, I just happened to be one of those automotive enthusiasts attracted by the power of advance open wheel racing technology watching the pursuit of driver and team questing for the top mastery of speed.
Granted media access to this year's very special Honda Indy event, the opportunity to present the racing festival of Toronto is now a responsibility wrapping many pleasures. Taking the only sensible method of travel through downtown Toronto (at least most of the time) is the TTC. Every time I ride on a subway car or streetcar, I suddenly hear the song “Romantic Traffic” by the Canadian 1980s new wave rock band “The Spoons” in my head. A little bit before of this websites readers (in fact “Romantic Traffic” roughly before my own interest in any music); the music video was staged within the subway line of the TTC during the mid 1980s.

As I stepped off the TTC streetcar when reaching early morning rush of the Castrol Canadian Touring Cars, I was to know this year (perhaps for than any other year) the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto would provide this automotive writer and editor with inspiration so ripe with excitement.

Arriving in the early morning hours, my residual sense of grogginess was vanquished immediately with action-filled day. Taking my first step into the media center acquaint myself with the part of my work area, an announcement that past event IZOD INDYCAR winner Marco Andretti will be in the media conference room was relayed. Arriving in a surprisingly near empty pressroom just past 9 am, the Iowa Speedway winner walked in minutes later.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Having the 2011 race winner and third generation Andretti racer in the room, I regretted I was unable to think of an intelligent question ideal for the 24-year old driver. Through the day, I continued to consider what question I could have asked Marco Andretti. It was not until lunch that I had finally brainstormed a suitable query. Not a very serious question, I probably could have asked it there is any place in Toronto Marco enjoyed when the IZOD INDYCAR Series visits the city. I know, it's not incredibly hard-hitting and somewhat light-hearted but it would have been a break from the racing-related questions (not that the Honda Indy would be considered a tiring subject.

As Marco Andretti left the conference room to prepare for Friday morning practice, I proceeded outside within the 1.755-mile track for the first time. Under the beautiful, cloudless skies, the Ferrari Challenge cars warmed up on the 11-turn street course for the very first time. The sound as well as the movement of those almost completely stock Ferrari F430 and Ferrari 458 supercars demonstrated a near perfect accompaniment to high speeds of the Lakeshore Boulevard stretch. Taking in the show on the Thunder Alley grandstands, I recalled my first Honda Indy presence in 1998. There for the Saturday and Sunday, I remembered how exciting it was to watch the CART World Series in probably one of their last great seasons. With my own eyes that weekend almost 13 years ago, I watched Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy, Patrick Carpentier as well as the late, great Greg Moore roaring down the Lakeshore. I remembered how the race was won by than Target/ Chip Ganassi driver Alex Zanardi.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Recalling my first race, I began to wonder how many fans young and old would take in this 2011 Honda Indy event. Since the race lost the long-time Molson sponsorship, crowds appeared to have dipped considerably. Following 2008 when a race did not take place due to reunification of open wheel racing, the 2009 Honda Indy had trouble bringing fans back to the event and not greeted kindly by the media. For 2011, this event is burning on all cylinders. To start, the Honda Canada sponsored Free Friday reached full potential as the combination of a sunny hot day and parent seeking to entertain their recently summer break bound tykes stormed through the attendance gates. By noontime, the CNE ground was well covered by a potpourri of individuals sharing the event. Besides the racing action on track, there was no shortage fun inside the enclosed Toronto street circuit including the IZOD INDYCAR Fan Zone. One of the sights on the area was a preview of the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR Series race vehicle.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

  

As the Ferrari Challenge cars left the track with only the memory of their brute, Italian sound, the Firestone Indy Lights cars prepared for competition. With the graduation of last year's Canadian Firestone Indy Lights series star James Hinchcliffe to the Newman/Haas Racing IZOD INDYCAR team, Canada's lone representative in the ladder series was Maple, Ontario's David Ostella. Riding 7th in the Firestone Indy Lights standing leading into the Honda Indy event, Ostella's rookie appearance with Jensen Motorsport did not go without notice by Canadian auto racing fans. During the weekend, that 19 year old was probably given a full initiation into what it means to be a rising auto racing star competing in his home country. With Ostella 6th fastest on track, Andretti Autosport's Stefan Wilson took fastest time in the morning practice on the streets of Toronto. As we know in hindsight, this top time for Wilson was a precursor to what would be a first career Firestone Indy Lights victory during Sunday's 100-mile event.

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

In part 2 of my 2011 Honda Indy Toronto review, I will recap the arrival of the headline IZOD INDYCAR Series to the race track. Star drivers such as Dario Franchitti, James Hinchcliffe, Paul Tracy and Danica Patrick take to 1.755-mile race circuit. Below, I have compiled a few videos which are now posted on Youtube. Posting them much sooner than I was able to construct the written review of my 2011 Honda Indy experience, I am very impressed by the reception of both videos.

2012 IZOD INDYCAR Dallara Chassis

2011 Honda Indy Ferrari Challange Morning Practice

Franchitti Wins Calamity-Filled Honda Indy Toronto

Photo Credit: Chris Jones

An event celebrating 25 years of running around the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, the Honda Indy of Toronto presents a generation full of great moments. In the inaugural 1986 open wheel round held on the Canadian temporary street course, Bobby Rahal claimed victory shortly after taking the year's Indy 500. For 7 of the 24 previous race runnings, Michael Andretti hoisted the Toronto race trophy. For occasions, the open wheel race in Toronto saw a Canadian challenger take the coveted race as local hero Paul Tracy won in 1993 and 2003.

Sporting a rich history of exciting open wheel racing, the 2011 edition of the Honda Indy started event as 26 IZOD INDYCAR Series competitors fire up Honda V-8 racing engines. For the 25th Sunday event on the 1.755-mile street course Canadian actor Dan Ackroyd gave a bellowing command to start those engines.

Taking the pole with an under-1 minute qualifying time, defending 2010 Honda Indy champion Will Power started the 2011 event on the front row with Scott Dixon alongside. With only 6 Honda Indy events won by the pole sitter, Power and the #12 Penske Racing team had their work cut out for them in efforts to repeat a victory lane appearance. Will Power's 8th consecutive road course pole in the IZOD INDYCAR Series parlayed a 33-lap initial lead at the Honda Indy Toronto as the Target Chip Ganassi Racing cars of Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti hung close behind.

As the green flag initiated the 85-lap race, the term "avoidable contact" was uttered quite often during and after the course of the 2011 Honda Indy of Toronto. At the typical problem area of the turn 3, Tony Kanaan in the #82 KV Racing Technology car became the first victim of what would be a series of on-track contact. Rushing into the turn in the third lap of the event, the #82 was being challenged on the inside of the Lakeshore Boulevard stretch by the #6 Penske Racing car of Ryan Briscoe. Bring early in the Honda Indy race, Kanaan gave Briscoe room to safely turn through the slow, tight turn 3. Despite the space presented, the #6 Dallara-Honda swung wide catching the right rear wheel of the #82 KV Racing Technology car. Spinning the #82 car into the outer wall, Tony Kanaan's day ended with severe suspension damage to his Dallara. Stepping out of his car, Kanaan immediately expressed heated displeasure to Ryan Briscoe as the #6 Penske Racing car rounded the track under caution. Used to being in contention for wins in the past month, Tony Kanaan's IZOD INDYCAR race in Toronto ended before the #82 car had a chance to mount a change.

Photo Credit: Jim Haines

As the Honda Indy ran under a full-course yellow to retrieve Kanaan's wrecked race car, a restart on lap 6 was followed quickly by more action within the turn 3 area of the Toronto street course. Under braking entering the corner, Danica Patrick's #7 Andretti Autosport car received hard rear end contact from Takuma Sato as she braked for the turn. Calling Sato "an idiot" over her in-car radio, Patrick was able to continue back to the pit road but Takuma Sato's #5 KV Racing Technology. Both drivers would finish the 2011 Honda Indy but would reside 6 laps down at the end of the event. In the case of Patrick, she would also get caught in a later caution. As the #7 car would end up needing two nose cone assembly changes, Danica Patrick finished the race wearing a share front end piece from her Andretti Autosport's teammate Marco Andretti's #26 car.

The first Canadian IZOD INDYCAR Series event of the 2011 season, the Honda Indy Toronto propels three drivers deeper into the race weekend spotlight. Paul Tracy, Alex Tagliani and James Hinchcliffe are provided with the additional pleasure (or perhaps burden) of competing on front of a hometown crowd. While fanfare was at an all-time high for each Canadian driver, the track results through the weekend was an effort accompanied with less than impressive qualifying runs for Sunday's event. As the race started, all three drivers began to assert themselves at the Toronto event. Starting 24th driving the #8 Dragon Racing Make a Wish Canada car, Paul Tracy charged 5 spots in the first handful of race laps. Driving his regular #77 ride for Sam Schmidt Racing, Alex Tagliani was eager to show pace early in the event. Looking good up to the first round of pit stops, Tagliani's Toronto race would quickly turn sour on lap 31 when Helio Castroneves made contact with the #77 car in turn 3. While the damage was minimal, many at the race track took note of the 2009 tangle Castroneves had for other Canadian driver Paul Tracy at the event. The contact between Helio Castroneves and Alex Tagliani brought out the race's second full course caution.

In the first 1/3 stage of the Honda Indy Toronto for the IZOD INDYCAR Series, several teams deeper in the field began to short pit hoping to take advantage of a caution. Thanks to the Tagliani/Castroneves caution on lap 31, there was a chance for some to capitalize on the fact the top-three drivers Will Power, Scott Dixon and Mike Conway had no pitted. As those vehicles came to attention of pit road during the caution period, Dario Franchitti took over the race lead. On a lap 36 restart James Hinchcliffe, the rookie Canadian driver wheeling the #06 car for Newman/Haas Racing for the 2011 Honda Indy, was elevated to 5th place in the field. Attempting to retain the high track position, Hinchcliffe immediately fell under the challenge of fellow Canadian Paul Tracy. Watching the open wheel race as a spectator for almost his entire life, James Hinchcliffe would end up dicing with the heroic two-time race winner. Through turn 3 at lap 37, Tracy drew along the inside Hinchcliffe's #06 car for position. Unwilling to give up his spot, Hinchcliffe matched wits with Tracy's trademark aggression. Racing side-by-side skillfully through the tight turn 3 and 4 stretch, turn 5 would see the thrilling duke-out between the two Canadians. Out of the fifth turn of the Toronto track, Hinchcliffe's and Tracy's cars slid together. Making contact on track, Paul Tracy received the worst of the incident requiring the West Hill, Ontario native to participate in an extended time on pit road. Finishing 16th on the day, Tracy responded about his 2011 Honda Indy in post-race saying, "Today wasn't the best day for us Canadians and our team. We had a great car and made our way through the field, making it all the way to the top-five. Unfortunately, cars got in our way and ended our day early, causing us to go two laps down for the rest of the day."

Through the mid-point of the Honda Indy Toronto, the on-track impacts between vehicles has grown to the point that unscheduled pit stops were common place. On lap 42, Graham Rahal limped to attention of his Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing team with a flat rear tire caused by contact with another car. Six laps later, the #28 Andretti Autosport piloted by Ryan Hunter-Reay needed to have a loose front wing replaced. Ironically, these unscheduled pit stops would provide them with a chance at the race's victory. Hunter-Reay's pit stop came shortly ahead of a turn 3 jam-up involving Paul Tracy, Victor Meira, Sebastien Bourdais and Charlie Kimball. The fourth full course caution of the race, the race would be slowed four more times in the final 28 laps.

As the IZOD INDYCAR racers ran through the final stage of the event in Toronto, the race quickly evolved into a heavy contact street fight. One of the most controversial coming-togethers at the 2011 Honda Indy occurred between the top two points contenders in the series overall points. Into turn 3, Dario Franchitti dived under the #12 Penske Racing car of Will Power. Within the turn, Franchitti bumped Power's car dropping him from contention in the race. With major championship implications at stake, INDYCAR race control reviewed the incident. Upon the review, there was no penalty issued to the #10 car of Franchitti for the contact (the Versus television broadcast mistakenly announced there was a penalty issued but the decision was reversed).

Insult to injury was added to Will Power later on lap 65 when he was shoved by Alex Tagliani's #77 car. Out of the race, the Australian Power had harsh and angry words with both drivers who eventually led him to a second DNF in a row. "I understood he was going to get penalized but then there was no call - I just don't understand that." Will Power said after the race expressing at one point that Dario Franchitti is getting away with several incidents without penalty throughout the season. Commenting about Tagliani, Power called the French-Canadian driver "a wanker".

From lap 49, the Honda Indy Toronto was led by the #38 of Graham Rahal who was remaining on track with more worn tires and less ethanol fuel than other contenders. Needing cautions laps to make a legitimate effort to finish the 85-lap distance without an added pit stop, Rahal was aided by the considerable yellow flag periods. Holding off Ryan Hunter-Reay on a lap 61 restart, Rahal was holding on to the lead of a race his father once 25 years before.

Ending a race gone bad on lap 72, Alex Tagliani was caught in a turn 3 wreck which involved the #7 car of Danica Patrick and the #18 of James Jakes. Clipping one of the cars, Tagliani's #77 was launched onto two wheels crashing onto the outer race track fence. Despite the scary angle of Tagliani hitting the wall with the top side of his vehicle, the driver was not in danger and got out of the car without injury. Tagliani finished in 23rd place after retiring from the IZOD INDYCAR event. A short-lived restart, their was a lead change as Dario Franchitti's #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car passes Graham Rahal to assume the top position.

Photo Credit: LAT USA /INDYCAR

One final full course caution came out on lap 77 following a four-race pile-up through turn 1. Resulting as a chain reaction when the #26 of Marco Andretti touched the #2 car of Oriol Servia, Servia's car whacked Justin Wilson's #22 car. Creating a congested track, James Hinchcliffe and Charlie Kimball made minimum contact with the stopped Servia car. Under the yellow flag, the field diverted around turn 1 while Hinchcliffe and Servia awaited a chance to rejoin the race. The Newman/Haas Racing cars completed the Honda Indy event with notable hometown rookie James Hinchcliffe finishing 14th place. Hinchcliffe would be the highest finishing Canadian driver.

On the final restart, Target Chip Ganassi Racing cars of Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon swept into the top-two spots by the end of the Lakeshore Boulevard stretch. In control of the race, the efforts of the red cars were helped on lap 79 restart lap when Ryan Hunter-Reay collided with Graham Rahal's #38 car. Despite being in the thick of things for the winning the event in the late laps, the #38 Service Central car ended the Honda Indy in 13th place. "It was really frustrating to get hit there at the end, I really thought we were going to have a good finish for the Service Central team" Rahal said following the event.

Cruising to victory with only his teammate Scott Dixon venturing an occasional move for the lead, Dario Franchitti take the checkered flag for the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto. Having won his third Honda Indy event, Franchitti also won has 4th event of the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR series season and a 30th American open wheel racing event. "I was pretty happy just be in the company of Rick and J.R., and to get my 30^th win today means a lot, especially here in Toronto, I got my first pole here in 1997. I love racing in Canada." Franchitti said in post race. In relationship to the collision with Will Power, Franchitti said after the race he was willing to take more than 50 percent of the blame for the incident but also argued the #12 Penske Racing driver had responsibility for the spin. "We had that incident with Will. He outbraked himself to outbrake me and opened up the door, I went down the inside, I held the wall and Will came down. I put my nose in there, I was trying to get my nose out, but ultimately he closed the door and paid the price."

With Scott Dixon taking a runner-up position, Andretti Autosport drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti put in a great showing at a track their team owner Michael Andretti won 7-times at through his driving career. Rebounding from his own troubles in the race, Vitor Meira brought his AJ Foyt-owned car to a top-five finish in Toronto. For the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR season, the result for Meira and the #14 team is a best result. A trio of other strong finishes in the Honda Indy Toronto includes Sebastien Bourdais completing the race in 6th place, Simona de Silvestro in 10th in her return to the series and Ana Beatriz who charged from 26th to finish 11th.

Beyond the results, the 2011 Honda Indy ended as a hot race accompanied with hot tempers. Whether this sizzling will cool ahead of the next race at Edmonton in two weeks will depend on the drivers. However, for the fans who have witnessed this wild 25th anniversary Honda Indy, it becomes so hard to believe a 1.755-mile circuit could provide such an action-packed weekend.

2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series
Honda Indy Toronto
Streets of Toronto
Race Results

1. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
2. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
3. 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/Andretti Autosport
4. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
5. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
6. 19 Sebastien Bourdais/France/Dale Coyne Racing
7. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
8. 4 JR Hildebrand/United States/ Panther Racing
9. 58 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
10. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland/ HVM Racing
11. 24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer & Reinbold
12. 2 Oriol Servia/Spanish/ Newman/Haas Racing
13. 38 Graham Rahal/United States/Chip Ganassi Racing
14. 06 James Hinchcliffe/Canada/ Newman/Haas Racing
15. 22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
16. 8 Paul Tracy/Canada/Dragon Racing
17. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
18. 18 James Jakes/England/ Dale Coyne Racing
19. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
20. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology
21. 83 Charlie Kimball/United States/ Chip Ganassi Racing
22. 27 Mike Conway/England/Andretti Autosport
23. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ Sam Schmidt Racing
24. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
25. 34 Sebastian Saavedra/Columbia/ Conquest Racing
26. 82 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology

Power Takes Honda Indy Toronto Pole

 Photo Credit: Jim Haines

The 25th anniversary of the Indy in Toronto, former Penske Racing driver Emerson Fittipaldi was the inaugural pole when the event existed as the Molson Indy in 1986. 24 races later, the Toronto event readies with the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR time trials.

Receiving beautiful weather in the great Canadian city of Toronto, the 2011 edition of the Honda Indy concluded its first day Friday with driver Will Power posting a fast pace. Taking just over 1 minute to lap the 1.755-mile, 11-turn temporary street course, Power's #12 Penske Racing was 1/10th of a second faster than Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon. In the second practice session Friday, Dixon was followed on the time sheet by current IZOD INDYCAR Series points leader Dario Franchitti. As the Toronto race ends a 5-race streak of oval event on the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series tour, the Scotsman realizes he needs to shut down challenger Will Power starting with the event the Penske driver won last season.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

In a fast Honda Indy of Toronto qualifying session, the top-3 drivers positioning mirrored Friday second practice with Will Power edging the #9 car of Scott Dixon with a 59.5771 second time. Winning the Toronto race first under the Champ Car banner in 2007, Will Power took victory in last year's IZOD INDYCAR Series round on the temporary street course.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Recording a 2nd fastest time in the qualifying order with 59.6646 second lap around the Toronto circuit, Dixon retains a normally strong time trial effort through his five career events at the race track. Dario Franchitti resulted the afternoon with a 3rd place timed run but was almost bumped by a fast Andretti Autosport car in the hands of Mike Conway. Fastest in the morning practice, Conway wheeled his #27 to a 59.6329 second pace through 1.764 miles. The top-4 drivers in Honda Indy qualifying broke the 1 minute barrier.

Concluding the timed session with a 5th place, a delighted Graham Rahal driving the #38 Service Central Dallara-Honda looked forward to the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series season's return to road course. Rahal captured a runner-up spot in the last street course event at Sao Paulo, Brazil. Graham Rahal's teammate Charlie Kimball will be starting his first Honda Indy of Toronto IZOD INDYCAR race in 25th place just ahead of Ana Beatriz.

Behind 6th place's Oriol Servia, former Toronto race winner Sebastien Bourdais greatly changed his fortunes after practice. Driving the Dale Coyne Racing #19 as the series returns to road courses, Frenchman Bourdais added a 7th fastest starting position for Sunday's Honda Indy event.  

The first IZOD INDYCAR race of the year for what is a two-event stretch in Canada, Toronto gives the nation's motorsport fans a chance to intimately cheer on their country's drivers. Totaling three in for 2011, mainstays at the Honda Indy of Toronto Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani were joined by 2011 IZOD INDYCAR rookie contender James Hinchcliffe. A popular young wheel man, Hinchcliffe seated in the #06 car brought an exciting new dimension to the 2011 edition of the race. Hometown fans for the Canadian contingent of drivers were brought to their feet on Friday by the pace of Toronto native James Hinchcliffe in this Newman/Haas Racing. Recording a 4th fastest time in the second practice session of the opening day of track action, the rookie Hinchcliffe could only muster a 13th place run on Saturday. Alex Tagliani in the #77 Sam Schmidt Racing car posted the fastest time by a Canadian driver in qualifying with 9th place. Driving the #8 for Dragon Racing, Paul Tracy launches off 24th on Sunday Make a Wish Foundation Dallara-Honda.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

As Will Power surges the hopes for a third Penske Racing team victory on the streets of Toronto, the cars of Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves faltered somewhat in qualifying. The #6 of Briscoe starts 10th while Castroneves will take the 13th place on the grid. Crashing out of Honda Indy race in 2010, Toronto has been a tough career race for Helio Castroneves. In fact, the Brazilian's best finish on the race circuit was 10th coming in his CART rookie year in 1998. Ryan Briscoe has better race luck on the Honda Indy track with a runner-up result in the 2009 race.

A three-time winner in 2011 and the reigning Honda Indy champion, the pole position may not seal a certain victory for Will Power. Only 6 times in 24 Indy car-style races on the Toronto street course has the winner started on pole. Dario Franchitti was the last driver to accomplish this feat in 2009.

The 25th year anniversary edition of the Honda Indy Toronto starts tomorrow at 2:50 pm Eastern time.

2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series
Streets of Toronto
Starting Lineup

1. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
2. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
3. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
4. 27 Mike Conway/England/Andretti Autosport
5. 38 Graham Rahal/United States/Chip Ganassi Racing
6. 2 Oriol Servia/Spanish/ Newman/Haas Racing
7. 19 Sebastien Bourdais/France/Dale Coyne Racing
8. 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/Andretti Autosport
9. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ Sam Schmidt Racing
10. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
11. 22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
12. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
13. 06 James Hinchcliffe/Canada/ Newman/Haas Racing
14. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
15. 34 Sebastian Saavedra/Columbia/ Conquest Racing
16. 82 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology
17. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland/ HVM Racing
18. 58 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
19. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology
20. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
21. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
22. 4 JR Hildebrand/United States/ Panther Racing
23. 18 James Jakes/England/ Dale Coyne Racing
24. 8 Paul Tracy/Canada/Dragon Racing
25. 83 Charlie Kimball/United States/ Chip Ganassi Racing
26. 24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer & Reinbold

Video of Friday's NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Qualifying at 2011 Honda Indy Toronto

Bowles Outpaces Ranger for Streets of Toronto 100 Pole

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Running on the same schedule along with temporary race course as high-speed open wheel and exotic sports cars for the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series provides a distinct presence. While the V-8 powered, fiberglass-bodied stock cars appeared quite unusual careening through the streets of Toronto, the show provided last year by these cars as well as their respective drivers brought a high amount of bumping and banging for track position.

For the 2011 race, Friday track activities for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series kicked off with a calamity-filled just past noon time. Throughout the session, several drivers including Mark Dilley and Kerry Micks suffered teething problems with their race cars. While one incident of contact saw the #17 Dodge of defending series champion DJ Kennington around in the infamous turn 3 hairpin, a more damaging hit involved the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' leading rookie of the year contender. The #15 Ford of Steve Matthews spun on the entry to turn 9 hitting the tire wall. Resulting in rear damage with impact to the track barrier, the damage with more greatly affected when another vehicle slammed into the reversing Matthews. Unable to stop in time, the second vehicle crashed hard mangling his stock car's front end.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

When qualifying Prevailing most convincing in the Friday midday practice session was the defending winner on the streets of Toronto. The #27 Dodge of Andrew Ranger lapped the 1.764-mile street course in 13 minute, 16.336 seconds. Half a second faster than the second place in the session, the young Canadian road racing ace gained the higher hand over the #11 car of Jason Bowles and Scott Steckly.

During the afternoon, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams were busy to repair damaged machines as they prepared for a later qualfying for the Streets of Toronto 100. A transmission was replaced on the #9 Dodge of Mark Dilley's and of course the rear crash damage on Steve Matthews' car was quickly remedied.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

By the time qualifying commenced, 30 of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season-high 33-car entry list competed for top time. Divided into two qualifying groups, it was the latter group that contained the fierce battle for the Streets of Toronto 100 pole. Andrew Ranger, Jason Bowles and Scott Steckly stormed onto the temporary road course set for a three-way duel.

Posting top time first, Andrew Ranger's #27 Dodge practically attacked the circuit driven on the edge of control. Ranger skill would prove difficult to overcome in the early stage of the session until the #11 Fuel Doctor car of Jason Bowles knocked the #27 from the top of the grid. Containing the faster of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series stock cars that practiced earlier, another threat for the Streets of Toronto 100 pole could have been the ICAR winner Robin Buck. Driving the #66 Quaker State/Durabody Dodge, Buck was overaggressive in his attempt at a top qualifying time ended as the car slid sideways into the tire barrier.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

With a fastest time of 1 minute, 15.260 seconds, Jason Bowles will start the Streets of Toronto 100. Reigning victor of the race Andrew Ranger starts alongside Bowles on the front row. Last season, those two drivers fought the final laps at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in August. As Bowles led into the final corners of that Napa 100, Ranger wrestled his way to the 2010 race victory. The first race the combatants met this season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the past sets up an interesting precursor to what can be seen on the start of Saturday's Streets of Toronto 100 event.

Behind the Bowles/Ranger front row, Scott Steckly, Kerry Micks and Don Thomson Jr round out the top-5 for the Streets of Toronto 100 Saturday. Other notables starting the road race includes DJ Kennington starting 6th, Robin Buck 7th, JR Fitzpatrick in 9th, Steve Matthews in 17th spot, and Jason Hathaway starting 22nd.

NASCAR Schedule & Weather Forecast: July 6th to 9th 2011

Photo Credit: Grant Halverson/Getty Image

Sparta, Kentucky
Kentucky Speedway
NASCAR Sprint Cup/ Nationwide Series/ Camping World Truck Series

Wednesday:

4:00 pm- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice
Temperature: 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

6:00 pm- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


Thursday:

10:00 am- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice
Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

11:05 am- NASCAR Sprint Cup Testing
Temperature: 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

3:05 pm- NASCAR Camping World Truck Qualifying
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

4:00 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Testing
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

6:10 pm- NASCAR Nationwide Series Practice
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

8:00 pm- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race (UNOH 225)
Temperature: 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


Friday:

9:00 am- NASCAR Nationwide Series Practice
Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Rain Showers
Chance of Precipitation: 100%

11:30 am- NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
Temperature: 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Rain Showers
Chance of Precipitation: 100%

1:30 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
Temperature: 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Rain Showers
Chance of Precipitation: 100%

3:35 pm- NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Clouds with chance of thunderstorms
Chance of Precipitation: 60%

5:10 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 40%

7:30 pm- NASCAR Nationwide Series Race (Feed the Children 300)
Temperature: 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 40%


Saturday:

7:30 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Race (Quaker State 400)
Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%



Toronto, Ontario
Streets of Toronto
NASCAR Canadian Tires Series

Friday:

12:30 pm- NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Practice
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%



4:10 pm- NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Qualifying
Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius (83 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 30%


Saturday:

2:30 pm- NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Race (Streets of Toronto 100)
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%

INDYCAR Honda Indy of Toronto Schedule & Weather Forecast: July 8th to 10th 2011

Photo Credit: Chris Jones

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Honda Indy of Toronto
2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series/ Firestone Indy Lights

Friday:

9:55 am- Firestone Indy Lights
Temperature: 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


10:55 am- IZOD INDYCAR Practice
Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


2:50 pm- IZOD INDYCAR Practice
Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius (83 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%




Saturday:

8:00 am- Firestone Indy Lights Practice
Temperature: 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%


9:00 am- IZOD INDYCAR Practice
Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%


11:45 am- Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%


12:55 pm- IZOD INDYCAR Qualifying
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%



Sunday:

8:00 am- Firestone Indy Lights Warm-up
Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%


8:40 am- IZOD INDYCAR Warm-up
Temperature: 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%


12:15 pm- Firestone Indy Lights Race
Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%


2:52 pm- IZOD INDYCAR Race (Honda Indy of Toronto)
Temperature: 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 10%