Honda Indy Toronto Receives Approval for 2024 Return

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada/XSL Speed Reporter 

On Friday September 15th, a vital meeting for the 2024 Honda Indy on the street of Toronto concluded in favour for welcoming back the headlining sounds of twin-turbocharged Honda and Chevrolet engines next summer. The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place decided to approve the application submitted by Green Savoree Toronto for a one-year license to extend the popular auto racing event. 

In the agreement, the 2024 event is tentatively slated to be held over four days starting July 18th and extends to July 21st. Billing itself as an event that generates $47 million for the economy of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), according to report from the Chief Executive Officer of Exhibition Place Don Boyle, the Honda Indy Toronto also supports more than 450 full time jobs in the GTA. The race weekend also contributes heavily to the hospitality industry of the city accounting for over 33,000 hotel room nights between the race teams as well as race spectators with 34 percent attending from outside Toronto. During the 2023 edition of the event, more than $100,000 was raised for Make-A-Wish Canada with the total after 12 years of the partnership cresting above $1 million.

A somewhat concerning detail about this recent application is the deal only covers a single year of the Honda Indy Toronto. The previous four times when negotiating with Exhibition Place, Green Savoree Toronto sought three-year extensions for the race event. It’s unclear why the decision was made to not pursue a multi-year agreement for 2024 and beyond. The reason for requesting a one-year agreement is unclear. Financial terms for the 2024 agreement are confidential.

Since its 1986 inception, the street race within Exhibition Place had been missed on only three occasions with two (2020 and 2021) caused as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The 2008 event was not held as the Champ Car open wheel racing series planned to run at the venue entered unification with the Indy Racing League/IndyCar. Along with IndyCar being the headliner, a number of additional racing series support the race weekend in Toronto including the NASCAR Pinty’s Series as well as Sports Car Championship Canada in recent years. 

With the 2024 edition of the Honda Indy Toronto passing by its approval hurtle, the schedule for the upcoming NTT IndyCar Series is slowly taking shape. Though a complete 2024 season tour has not been announced by the open wheel organization there have already been several set. Already teased by IndyCar is a season finale on the streets of Nashville for September 15th as well as $1-million to win non-points event on March 24th at California’s Thermal Club. 

NASCAR Action Returns to Streets of Toronto in 2016

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy

The 30th anniversary edition of Toronto's popular motorsport street race will feature a few familiar touches attendees of previous events had been used to. As expected, the 2016 Honda Indy Toronto will return to its traditional mid-July date after a one-year move to June in order to accommodate the 2015 Pan-Am Games. The July 15th to 17th 2016 race weekend within the area of the Canadian National Exhibition grounds will also feature a support series that had been absent since 2011. After five years away from the streets of Toronto, Canada's top NASCAR series will once again compete as part of the summer festivities alongside the Verizon IndyCar Series.

To be known as the NASCAR Pinty's Series starting in 2016, the former NASCAR Canadian Tire Series stock cars will be a popular addition to next year's Honda Indy Toronto race schedule. The stock car racing division and the principals behind the Honda Indy Toronto will return to the event as part of a three-year appearance agreement.

The stock cars first appeared as a companion to the popular Canadian street race in 1999 when the series existed as the CASCAR Super Series. Running until 2005 under the CASCAR banner, the stock car competition was reinstated in 2010. Both CASCAR Super Series and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events had been largely been dominated by drivers with considerable road course racing skill. Multiple winners of stock car races on the 2.824-kilometer street circuit include Kevin Dowler, Jeff Lapcevich, former Players LTD/GM Challenge Series driver Robin Buck and most recently Andrew Ranger. Ranger won both NASCAR Canadian Tire Series turns at the Honda Indy Toronto in 2010 and 2011.

Photo Credit: Matthew Manor/Getty Images for NASCAR

The announcement of stock cars returning to the Honda Indy Toronto accompanied the official word on Canada's NASCAR series' new title sponsor. Pinty's Delicious Foods Inc. will formally become the series' corporate backer starting on January 1st of next year. The full 2016 NASCAR Pinty's Series schedule will be published at a later date.

Bentley Continental GT3 Pirelli World Challenge Car at 2014 Honda Indy Toronto



Photo Credit: Chris Nagy

The Bentley Continental GT3 is taking part in its inaugural season in the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge series' GT category. Fielded by Dyson Racing and piloted by veteran road racer Butch Leitzinger, the radical twin-turbocharged V-8 powered luxury car made its first street race appearance at the Honda Indy Toronto event.

For the 2014 Honda Indy Toronto race weekend, the Dyson Racing Team Bentley organization experienced mixed results. During race one on Saturday, the Bentley Continental GT3 driven by Butch Leitzinger finished 19th overall after being caught in a turn three accident on lap 19. Sunday's second race concluded with a much more favourable result crossing the line in ninth place.

Below is a video of the Bentley Continental GT3 car undergoing Friday preparations in Toronto.

Rising Canadian Star Di Leo On Track with Praga for Toronto Indy Lights Race

Photo Credit: Praga

Firestone Indy Lights is a storied right of passage for many famous racers including over the years including Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon and Greg Moore. More recently, Canadian racing superstar James Hinchcliffe was a graduate of two seasons in the ladder series prior to his IZOD IndyCar Series success. Matthew Di Leo wants to be the next racing Canuck to earn his way into the top levels of motorsport.

The 4th place finisher last year in the Cooper Tire USF2000 Powered by Mazda, Di Leo fought against several well-supported organizations with his own team MDL Racing. At 18-years old, the Canadian has already shown the passion, ambition and talent to aspire to much more in motorsports. During the upcoming Honda Indy Toronto race weekend, the driver wants to make his next significant racing stand on home turf. Thanks to a Czech Republic company, the MDL Racing entry has the opportunity to figure prominently in the Firestone Indy Lights competition.

Matthew Di Leo's support for the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto event will come from Praga Racing Holding. A diverse collection of motorsport companies providing everything from young driver training to professional race vehicles, a Praga racing chassis was part of the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Praga Director of Media Relations Krystle Carrara stated, "Matthew was one of the first drivers to race on Praga in North America, and he supported and promoted the brand from its inception, so we are happy to return the favor in this collaboration with MDL Racing,". In addition to sponsoring Matthew Di Leo, Praga will have a display of their kart chassis at the 2013 Honda Indy.

Starting in ninth place (second-to-last on the grid), Di Leo not only survived his first Firestone Indy Lights race at Long Beach but held on for a strong opening effort. Placing fifth, the Innisfil, Ontario driver is bracing to put on a meaningful demonstration of his talent with the Honda Indy Toronto race weekend.

Matthew Di Leo will race July 13th in the eighth round of the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights.

Toronto INDYCAR Street Race Date Secured through 2014

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

For 26 years in Toronto, Canada's second-longest running street course event (Trois Rivieres, Quebec is the oldest) has hosted the sounds of open wheel racing. Heading into the 2012 event, there is already the build-up of seeing brand new turbocharged IZOD INDYCAR race vehicles and the motivation of promoting this year's race following the rough-and-tumble 2011 edition of the event. On Monday, the immediate future of the Honda Indy is guaranteed through the 2014 season with an agreement between the INDYCAR sanctioning body, Honda Canada, Green Savoree Racing Promotions and the City of Toronto.

Optimistic on the presence of the open wheel racing series in Toronto (especially after the mayhem that was last season's running of the Honda Indy Toronto falling into the through that "any publicity is good publicity"), INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard declared, “With a strong heritage in open-wheel racing, Toronto continues to be a great fit for INDYCAR,”. Along with being a showcase for the headlining IZOD INDYCAR Series, the Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship and the Ferrari Challenge tour will be sharing the 1.755-mile circuit. The deal announced on Monday insures the framework for all major parties is in place for two seasons following this season's Honda Indy Toronto.

The event brought the reunified IZOD INDYCAR Series to the Canadian city in 2009 thanks to the efforts of 7-time Toronto Indy-winning driver Michael Andretti and Kim Green (who won the event twice as a team owner) who saved the race. Through the race promotion arm of the Andretti-Green partnership, that pairing parted ways with Kim Green receiving the race promotion business while Michael Andretti retained the INDYCAR race team.

Since becoming a date on the IZOD INDYCAR Series schedule has noticeably become a better event as spectators began returning to the July race weekend held on the temporary street course. With crowds being an important ingredient to securing the Honda Indy Toronto past the 2014 season, the race's non-supporters often complain about the race weekend shutting down streets during the summer. The street race in the heart of the city of Toronto could also be facing competition from the new-ownership group of the Mosport International Raceway (now called Canadian Tire Motorsport Park). Just outside of Toronto, the former Formula 1 venue is undergoing a renovation that could make Canadian Tire Motorsport Park more inviting to possible NASCAR and IZOD INDYCAR events. Inking an extension on the deal for the Honda Indy Toronto event, it will likely be, at least, 2015 that INDYCAR would consider the permanent road course. 

Celebrating a 25-year since the 1986 Molson Indy inaugurated the event last year, the 2012 Honda Indy weekend will be the 25th opportunity (no Toronto Indy occurred in 2008) that open wheel racing stars will roar alongside the Toronto waterfront.

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 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

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

Entry List for the 2011 Honda Indy of Toronto

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

 

 

2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series

Honda Indy of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario

Entry List

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

 

Review of Friday Action at the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto: Part 1

Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Alright, being December, I am fully aware that my entry on the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto is quite late to be considered as current events I want to profile on XSL Speed Reporter. Due to other more pressing writing obligations has diverted my attention away from exercising more creative endeavours on this site. While my intentions is never to withdraw my dedication to completing this Honda Indy of Toronto review, time was never on my side. Being better late than never, I will hopefully allow you to reminiscence of the dog days of summer while much of Canada becomes covered with snow.

Following the productive year I had in 2009, I thought all I needed to do to make this year's coverage perfect was to add more updates and bring sunscreen (it took two weeks after last year's Honda Indy to overcome have serious sunburns on my face, neck and arms). Regrettably, I admit I was unable to attend this year's race in the official capacity of a member of the media. Having been granted the honour of media access last year, this first time experience didn't allow me to fully make use of my press flexibility. It was my intention to avail readers of XSL Speed Reporter to exciting coverage. Maybe representing the latest resurgence of IndyCar after reunification, larger media outlets (including many television stations which were not even present for Friday on 2009) covered the action of the first day of the Honda Indy weekend.

Media vehicles for CHCH TV, CP 24 and CBC were noticeably on attendance
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy

It would also be a relief that this year's general media presence were a little more accepting of the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto. The 2009 event was almost slandered by sports writers more familiar with 'stick and ball sports'. More positive of the event, there was still articles questioning the presence of the major Canadian auto race.

As was the case last year, the race promoters did not publicize spectator numbers but I imagine media outlets simply observe the grandstands expecting everyone to be seated throughout the race weekend. For anyone who attends an IZOD IndyCar Series road or street course event, you know that this is unlike many year-round sporting events that last only for a few hours. The Honda Indy of Toronto is a three-day festival which encourages spectators to bask in the sights and sounds of the July atmosphere.

While lacking the press access, my love for the event would allow me to forgive my non-inclusion as a reporter. Coming on Friday for the 2010 Honda Indy weekend, I looked forward to again attend the race action as a spectator. Thanks to Honda Canada had provided a Free Friday promotion (giving patrons a chance to absorb the true amazement of the auto racing action) I can attest anyone attending the race was given almost as much freedom as I had last year in viewing to on-track action. As ambient high temperatures sailed past the mark of 30 degrees Celsius.

Photo of Toronto beautiful skyline
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Arriving in the early morning for the CNE grounds via the TTC streetcar, I Iucked out that a gentle rain shower had long ceased with much of the evidence evaporated under mid-summer temperatures that resided inside the 20 degree range. Following a short TTC street car ride, I was enjoying the chance to relish my attendance of the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto. At the gate, spectators were endorsed to donate fairly to the Make a Wish Foundation Canada. While Free Friday was worth while for fans, there is not one fiber of my being that would not appreciate this charity drive.

After making a proper donation, as did many considerate race fans, I was treated once again to one of the more thorough security checks ever instituted at a sporting event. Bags were checked (which for me pertained to only my camera bag) and food or drink were prohibited beyond the gate. While I give the benefit that this is done for safety, the looks of the concession stand pricing inside the event would definitely need some kind of 'outside food ban' to keep brisk business. But, high prices at food and drink concession stands is only part of the sporting event experience.

As I cleared the front gate to the CNE grounds, my 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto experience started by appraising the paddocks of 6 individual racing series'. Four of the six touring exhibits were found inside of the Direct Energy. Throughout the day, the shelter of the cooler Direct Energy building served some comfort as the July sun and humidity beamed over Toronto. Passing the fleet of Honda Ridgeline trucks destined to parade the drivers of the IZOD IndyCar Series prior to Sunday main event, passage through the Direct Energy Center gave me a look at the Acura World Challenge and Trans-Am on the right side of the building's interior. Far to the left, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series transporters and teams were assembled.

Inside Direct Energy Centre with Honda Ridgeline ceremonial vehicles in view.
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Becoming a oven-like warm Toronto morning, the grounds of the CNE were ripe with activity. The more stabilized and recognized IZOD IndyCar Series as well as the Free Friday promotion was clearly making an impact on attendance. As perhaps the most assuring signal was the presence of families at the race track taking in this affordable sporting event. Compared to Toronto Blue Jays tickets cost around $50 for cheap seat viewing at the Roger Center or a Toronto Maple Leafs game costing at least $150 to $200, the Honda Indy of Toronto provides refreshingly wallet-friendly trips for parents careful amidst these complicated economic times. Even though concession prices could make lunch a more expensive than usual, the no-charge admission succeeded in offsetting that cost.

As I stepped outside, my ears were ringing with an enchanting sound of race engines bellowing around the temporary 2.84-kilometer (1.765-mile) street circuit. Taking to the track early was the 2010 SCCA World Challenge and Trans-Am series competitors. Knowing that the sports cars were positioned as a supporting attraction to the open wheel racing, the sound of these vehicles echoed the best sound of any car competing during the Honda Indy of Toronto weekend. The sight of Volvo S60, Lexus IS300 as well as Volkswagen GTIs in race trim provided a roar which could be compared to a mix between Formula 1 and a Grand Turismo video game.

Tomy Drissi's Jaguar advertising the future release of the movie
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter

Acura Sports Car Challenge vehicles and SCCA Trans-Am series race cars returned for a second practice during the afternoon ahead of their Saturday afternoon event which saw the Realtime Racing Acura TSX piloted by Peter Cunningham win the GTS class. Randy Pobst took a close 0.821 second victory in the GT Class with a Volvo S60 as Montreal, Quebec's Kuno Wittmer came home 6th in a Dodge Viper. SCCA Trans-Am Series race's pole was snatched by the Jaguar XKR of Tomy Drissi but the Honda Indy of Toronto race was claimed by RJ Lopez (a first-time series win by the Dominican Republic native) and his Corvette by a nealy 9 second margin. Stouffville, Ontario's Blaise Csida retired with only 21 laps on the board with a mechanical problem.

Randy Pobst's K-Pax Volvo S60 on Friday.
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Back to Friday morning as the Honda Indy of Toronto was still a memory waiting to happen, the IZOD IndyCar series took to the track for their first practice of the 2010 event. The headliners of the July weekend speed festivities, the array of drivers such as Will Power, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti all returned after running last year's event (the first under the IRL/IndyCar Series structure). It was also the return for 2010 for the 2nd Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing car driven by Graham Rahal. Of course, being one of two Canadian rounds for the major open wheel racing series, Paul Tracy rejoined the tour alongside French-Canadian regular Alex Tagliani in competition.  Tracy was running his 2nd race of the season after driving for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing at Watkins Glen in place of the injured Mike Conway.

Graham Rahal ahead of his first practice back with NHL Racing for 2010.
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Just like the 2009 event, the IZOD IndyCar teams paraded from the paddock area to the pit lane ahead of every session allowing fans to get a look at their favourite Dallara-Honda Indy cars and drivers. Compared to 2009 where Patrick moved like a flash between locations shielded from view, the popular IZOD IndyCar driver turned over a new leaf in respecting the Canadian race fans. Upon my first sight of her ahead of the first IZOD IndyCar series practice, Danica Patrick would walking down gasoline alley smiling as she cheerfully signed a few autographs. Whether the pressures of her sponsors through IndyCar as well as NASCAR in 2010 or an improved mood, the more congenial Danica Patrick was no less than a welcomed inclusion for the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto.

Danica Patrick embracing her usually abundant fanfare.
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter 

Danica Patrick along with Simona de Silvestro and Milka Duno were the female composure of a very diverse grid for the 2010 race in Toronto. With the G20 Summit gathering occurring just three weeks prior, the IZOD IndyCar Series presented a rich international representation of drivers from 12 different countries. Even though the Honda V-8 engines buzzed loudly along the Toronto lake shore, its arguable the race action was more peaceful.

The first time to measure up the competition for the event, the one hour session was led by Target/Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon over Justin Wilson by leading the circuit in 1 minute, 3.9149 seconds. Within several minutes of the green flag being displayed for the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series cars, the KV Racing #5 car of former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato lost traction through the final corner backing his car into a retaining wall. Assisted by the safety crew, Sato was able to restart his car suffering a loss of his rear wing. Belgium's Bertrand Baguette also left the first practice session with damage to his #36 Conquest Racing car. Being the first visit to the Toronto circuit, Baguette was continuing a hard-fought rookie campaign in the IZOD IndyCar Series which started at the 3rd race of the 2010 season.

Picture of Takuma Sato's KV Racing #5 car seconds before impacting the
frontstretch wall.
Photo Credit: Christopher Nagy/ XSL Speed Reporter 

Third-fastest in the first practice session, Alex Tagliani and the FAZZT Race Team posted an effort many home country fans were eagerly seeking from the #77 car. Driving the Make a Wish Canada #15 car, Paul Tracy could only muster a 15th place run against 26 cars. Being Canada's drivers, both Tagliani and Tracy appeared to have a higher than usual amount of obligations to press as well as sponsors. Ahead of noon, Alex Tagliani's FAZZT Race Team's presided within the IZOD IndyCar paddock spotted for one media engagement. Getting in and out of his Hot Wheel-sponsored #77 car, an adoring crowd surrounded the Canadian racer.

Alex Tagliani seated in #77 Hot Wheels/FAZZT Race Team car
Photo Credit: XSL Speed Reporter

As the IZOD IndyCar Series left the track, the Firestone Indy Lights support series were next to lap the circuit starting their practice quarter past 11 in the morning. Leading the series points, J.K. Vernay was ahead of Charlie Kimball and Oakville, Ontario native James Hinchcliffe. Personally having the pleasure of interviewing Hinchcliffe ahead of the Honda Indy of Toronto for PRN Magazine, it was clear to me that a Firestone Indy Lights victory on the temporary race track for the 24-year old would be a major career achievement. In preparations for the Toronto 100 race, James Hinchcliffe would claim fastest time in the first practice.

Venturing around the race track all morning, I face much of that time attempting to find a source of refreshments. As I have already singled out the concession stand prices, it may be obvious it was an issue with me. Being a frugal deal-hunter, I have trouble spending almost twice the price for drinks. In hindsight, I probably should have been more willing to forgo an expense. Drinking fountains were few and far between on the CNE grounds with me eventually finding one inside the Direct Energy Center to refill my empty water bottle. Past noon time, I believe I was in the early stages of dehydration as I began to feel ill effect for not bracing for the elements. Clearly, I was alright after sitting down for about an hour inside the Direct Energy Center after recovering some water.

A productive and enjoyable morning at the 2010 Honda Indy, a brief rest reinvigorated me for what would be an even better afternoon.

Will Power Streams to Exciting Honda Indy Toronto Victory

Photo Credit: Dan Helrigel


Within the heat of an inescapable summer weekend for the metropolitan of Toronto, the 2010 Honda Indy brings 26 IZOD IndyCar Series cars and competitors to Canada for the first of two rounds in the northernmost country of the continent. For Canadian race fans, two native-born drivers Alex Tagliani and Paul Tracy again are taking on the challenge of winning in their home country; a bold task which was accomplished twice by Paul Tracy in 1993 and 2003. Attacking the 1.755 mile temporary street course, competitors were challenged for the first time since Long Beach to a track of this configuration.

Showing impressive pace throughout the weekend, the Dreyer and Reinbold Racing regular Justin Wilson had been within the top-2 of the time charts throughout the Honda Indy Toronto weekend winning Saturday's third. Wilson parlayed the effort in his #22 Z-Line Designs Dallara-Honda by locking up the pole through Saturday qualifying beating out superteam challengers led by Will Power and Helio Castroneves in the Firestone Fast 6.

With ambient temperatures hitting 27 degrees Celsius on the Lakeshore, the IZOD IndyCar Series race was set to launch just prior to 1PM eastern time. Justin Wilson took full advantage of his pole position an early lead. Behind him, the field made it through the first corner without incident, an uncharacteristic event for IndyCar races during the first lap through the tight initial corner. Though the first corner was trouble-free, this did not mean there wasn't a moment of contact through lap one. Heading into turn 3, #4 Panther Racing car of Don Wheldon brushed his front wing into the rear of EJ Viso's KV Racing Technology car. The #4 car's damage was easily repairable after a quick through premature pit stop.



Photo Credit: Ron McQueeney

Going caution-free through the opening stages, many drivers were able to launch into better positions. Starting 24th, Paul Tracy driving a #15 KV Racing Technology car sponsored by Honda Canada and Make a Wish Canada shot forward in 6 positions. Near the front, the Target Chip Ganassi Racing #10 of Dario Franchitti made it pass Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay to settle in 3rd place. Making use of a new Honda engine changed since the Saturday qualifying session, Franchitti was spared being dropped to the end of the pack when his race team issued a protest with Honda.

On lap 19, 2 of 4 KV Racing Technology drivers added to a growing number of incidents happening within the 2010 season for the team. In this scenario on turn 3 of the Toronto street course, Takuma Sato's #5 connected with the #32 of Mario Moraes drawing full-course caution. Providing an opportune time for pit stops, leaders pitted led by Wilson but left out 4th as Castroneves, Franchitti and Will Power were sent out quicker than the Dreyer and Reinbold Racing team. However, instead of the #3 Verizon Penske Racing car leading the field to the restart, hometown favourite Paul Tracy took the green first virtue of staying on track as others pitted. the #14 of Vitor Meira also elected to stay out.

Gaining first and second place, those two cars bred a situation which would prove costly to race front-runners. Into turn 3, Meira's lack of grip and braking caught Helio Castroneves by surprise as the #3 car slammed the rear of the #14 before sliding down into the tire barrier off-track. Though the driver was unhurt, the same could not be said for the #3 Dallara-Honda. This full-course yellow coming only a lap after a previous caution period, a pattern developed within this one-third race distance seeing the Honda Indy transformed from a high-speed street race to a parade of $500,000 open wheel race cars. After 5 laps of cleaning up Castroneve's machine, Alex Lloyd wrecked this Dale Coyne Racing #19 in turn 1 immediately following the restart. Dale Coyne Racing was already suffering from a difficult race as their #18 car driven by Milka Duno was unable to meet race speed early on in the Honda Indy event.

Following the clean-up for that caution on lap 32, trouble turn 3 lured another incident race-ending contact as the #34 of Mario Romanchini was spun backwards into the wall by Mario Moraes driving ironically the #32 car. Paul Tracy, who had just lost the lead to Dario Franchitti in the lap, along with Dan Wheldon took advantage of the green remaining out to pit just prior to IRL officials elevating the local yellow to a full-field caution. For Moraes part in the incident, the Brazilian was sentenced to a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact.

Once the Honda Indy was sent back to green on lap 35, Dario Franchitti ruled ahead the mid-stage with this green Airwick-sponsored #10 car leading for 19 laps. Leading the #12 of Will Power and the #22 of Justin Wilson, Franchitti relinquished the position pitting as the lead pack confronted lapped traffic. The #12 of Power and #22 of Wilson would pit one lap later in a move which eventually proved very beneficial to those competitors. With Wilson's Dreyer and Reinbold Racing team unable to prevent 3 cars from passing their driver through the first pit stop, the crew definitely made up for the early slip on the lap 55 stop as they beat the highly-trained wrenches of the Team Penske to get Justin Wilson out ahead of Will Power. The duo also beat Dario Franchitti for position leaving pit road.

Into the last one-third distance of the 85 lap 2010 Honda Indy Toronto, it was evidently go-time for the IZOD IndyCar drivers. One dicey incident involved the #26 of Marco Andretti and the #06 of Graham Rahal through turn 3. Entered into the first of a six-race deal with former team Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, Rahal was driving for his fourth team in the 2010 season. The crowding of the two drivers of auto racing pedigrees did not result in any damage but the single-car incident #15 car of Paul Tracy made for a more dramatic turn 3 moment.



Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Attempting to out-brake rookie Simona de Silvestro, Tracy locked up skidding off-track. Slow for most of the Honda Indy weekend, Paul Tracy and the KV Racing Technology team chased handling problems that were discovered until after IZOD IndyCar qualifying. Proving to be a more formidable match for Sunday's race, this late race stall demoted Tracy to a one lap back finish in 13th place. On the same lap, the #8 of EJ Viso and #2 of Raphael Matos collided in turn 6.

As caution was needed, another restart saw Justin Wilson's 3 second lead wiped clean as Will Power was able to challenge the #22 Dreyer and Reinbold Racing car on lap 70. With a perfectly-timed acceleration on the restart, Power launched past Wilson on the frontstretch beating the #22 car into turn 1. Falling to 2nd, Wilson fell deeper in the field when he spun in a slick turn 8 losing a chance at a once certain win. Continuing to an eventual 7th place, Justin Wilson's lost podium finish was not the only disappointment to occur with the front-runners. A contact between the #37 of Ryan Hunter-Reay and the Scott Dixon's #9 Dallara-Honda ended with Dixon's #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car suffer terminal front suspension damage.

With special Hot Wheels sponsorship on his #77 Fazzt Race Team car, Alex Tagliani was having a luck warm outcome in the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto through much of the event. However, near the end, many of the competitors treated the Hot Wheels much like a youngster. Caught up in the lap 65 crash of Matos and Viso, Tagliani's efforts for a strong finish in Toronto were ended when Tomas Scheckter, driving the #24 Dreyer and Reinbold Racing car, attempted to make a late braking maneuver on the inside of the #77 on lap 73 triggering the final full course yellow. In post race, an angry Tagliani implied that he can't wait to get to Edmonton because 'there are a lot of front wing I would like to damage'.

On the final return to green flag competition, Will Power flew away from the #10 car of Franchitti. 5th through 12th maintained itself as a close, dicey pack but there were no further incidents as the Honda Indy of Toronto ran out of laps. With a higher push-to-pass count and a healthy lead, Power's #12 Penske Racing car took victory for the second-straight race. Dario Franchitti, the 2009 winner of the first Honda Indy under the IRL sanctioning body, held off a late charge from Ryan Hunter-Reay for 2nd place.

With Ryan Hunter-Reay bringing his #37 car to a podium finish, he headed up a rather strong effort by Andretti Autosport as Tony Kanaan achieved a quiet but honourable 4th, Danica Patrick brought her godaddy.com #7 past the line in 6th and Marco Andretti placed 8th at the end of the 85 lap event. Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti, a 7-time winning driver of the Toronto IndyCar event which includes 5 consecutive victories, had a hand in bringing the race back to Toronto in 2009 as a promoter. Since divested from the event promotion, Michael Andretti's former business partner Kim Green took command of the Honda Indy as part of a corporate divorce settlement.

Though the chance to see Dreyer and Reinbold Racing in victory lane was foiled, there were still some excellent efforts put forth by smaller IZOD IndyCar teams in the 2010 Honda Indy of Toronto finishing order. While the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team has historical roots bringing 3 drivers to Honda Indy victories since the race's 1986 inception, their position in the IZOD IndyCar Series is not as strong as it once was in open wheel racing. However, Graham Rahal(son of the inaugural Toronto Indy winner), showed a flash of past brilliance obtaining a 5th place finish. Having started the race 21st, Simona de Silvestro was able to dial a career-best IZOD IndyCar 9th place result taking the Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing #78 across the Toronto start/finish line ahead of the #4 car of Dan Wheldon. After three disastrous races, de Silvestro is back in the rookie of the year fight. Worth honourable mentions just outside of the top-10 is AJ Foyt Racing's Victor Meira who leaped 15 spots to 11th on the day.

Will Power's win in Toronto extends his lead in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar road racing points as well as the overall points. Power holds a 42-point lead over Dario Franchitti and a 78-point gap on Scott Dixon in 3rd place. With 7 races left in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series, including the July 25th running of the Edmonton Honda Indy event, points are starting to become much more valuable with Australian in a strong position to win or lose.

In the books, the 2010 Honda Indy Toronto was a complete success almost returning to the fan following of the 1990s where the race received around 140,000 spectators through the three-day weekend. With the 25th anniversary of the Toronto IndyCar race in preparations as of earlier this month, the race's future is safe and will bring the sounds of speed to the waterfront for years.


Honda Indy Toronto
2010 IZOD IndyCar Series
Race Results

1. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
2. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
3. 37 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/ Andretti Autosport
4. 11 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ Andretti Autosport
5. 02 Graham Rahal/United States/ Newman-Haas-Lanigan Racing
6. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
7. 22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
8. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
9. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland HVM Racing
10. 4 Dan Wheldon/England/ Panther Racing
11. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
12. 06 Hideki Mutoh/ Japan/ Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
13. 15 Paul Tracy/Canada/ KV Racing Technology
14. 32 Mario Moraes/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology
15. 24 Tomas Scheckter/ South Africa/ Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
16. 36 Bertrand Baguette/Belgium/ Conquest Racing
17. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ FAZZT Race Team
18. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
19. 8 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
20. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
21. 2 Raphael Matos/Brazil/ de Ferran Dragon Racing
22. 34 Mario Romancini/Brazil/ Conquest Racing
23. 19 Alex Lloyd/England/ Dale Coyne Racing
24. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
25. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology
26. 18 Milka Duno/Venezuela/ Dale Coyne Racing