This weekend marks the return of the NTT INDYCAR Series to the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, scheduled for July 18–20, 2025, at the iconic Exhibition Place street circuit. As the only Canadian stop on the calendar and now the shortest race of the season at roughly 160.74 miles (90 laps), anticipation is high among drivers, teams, and fans alike. The stop comes hot on the heels of a doubleheader at Iowa Speedway, where drivers were tested in slick tire management and survival strategy.
The Toronto circuit is a true street race, featuring 11 challenging turns spread over 1.786 miles. The layout includes a high-speed frontstretch zooming toward the Princes’ Gate at Turn 1, as well as the Lakeshore Boulevard straight into a tight 90‑degree Turn 3—both prime overtaking zones. With unforgiving barriers lining the course, even a minor misstep can lead to costly contact, demanding precision and nerves of steel. History has shown that clean, aggressive setups often pay dividends around these urban walls.
Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing arrives in Toronto at the top of his game. Fresh off back‑to‑back victories at Iowa—his sixth and seventh wins of 2025—he boasts a towering lead of 129 points over Pato O’Ward. Although Palou is still hunting his first Toronto win—he’s never qualified higher than 15th here—he’s proven adept at carving through the field, with past finishes of P6, P2, and P4 from poor starting spots. The three-time champion thrives on momentum and tire strategy: two skills that could be race-defining on these unforgiving streets.
In stark contrast, Team Penske is stumbling this season despite its powerhouse reputation. At Iowa’s doubleheader, all three Penske cars encountered major setbacks: Scott McLaughlin was taken out in a first-lap incident, Will Power retired on lap 21 due to fading pace, and Josef Newgarden struggled yet again. These setbacks follow larger consequences at the Indy 500, where both Newgarden and Power failed post-qualifying inspection—costing the team valuable momentum and resulting in executive layoffs. With just three podiums and no wins so far in 2025, Penske is in uncharted territory—and desperately needs a Toronto breakthrough.
Looking ahead, the Toronto weekend will include practice sessions on Friday, July 18, qualifying on Saturday afternoon, and the race at noon ET on Sunday. The tempo is pushing forward: tight city blocks, blistering straights, and tire wear will shape the strategy. Chevy-powered teams hope to end Honda’s hot streak (with Honda having won all current street events), while Honda outfits—including Palou’s—seek to reinforce their dominance.
Finally, Toronto offers a spectacle no fan should miss. Between the challenge of street racing, championship drama with Palou’s hot form, and Penske’s struggles under the spotlight, this weekend could be a turning point in the title battle. Expect fireworks, strategic gambles, and possibly another showcase of Palou’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Stay tuned as the series tightens toward its 2025 crescendo.
Toronto Street Circuit IndyCar Series Weekend Schedule
Friday July 18
9:25 am-9:55 am Radicals P1 (30)
10:10 am-10:35 am MX5/MIATA P1 (25)
10:50 am-11:20 am USF2000 P1 (30)
11:35 am-12:05 am USF Pro 2000 P1 (30)
12:45 pm-1:15 pm Radicals Q (30)
1:35 pm-2:00 pm USF2000 Q1 (25), Streaming: YouTube Pole: Thomas Schrage, Starting Grid
2:10 pm-2:35 pm USF Pro 2000 Q1 (25), Streaming: YouTube Pole: Max Garcia, Starting Grid
3:05 pm-4:25 pm NTT IndyCar Series Practice 1 – Groups (80), TV/Streaming: FS2 Kyle Kirkwood fastest
4:45 pm-5:10 pm MX5/MIATA Q (25)
Saturday July 19
9:00 am-9:25 am USF2000 Q2 (25), Streaming: YouTube Pole: Jack Jeffers, Starting Grid
9:35 am-10:00 am USF Pro 2000 Q2 (25), Streaming: YouTube Pole: Alessandro de Tullio, Starting Grid
10:30 am-11:30 am NTT IndyCar Series Practice 2 (45 Limited Guarantee), TV/Streaming: FS1 Herta, Kirkwood lead field
11:50 am-12:15 pm MX5/MIATA Race #1 (25)
12:30 pm-1:10 pm Radicals Race #1 (40)
1:30 pm-2:10 pm USF2000 Race #1 (40), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Jack Jeffers, Results
2:35 pm-4:00 pm NTT IndyCar Series Qual. / Firestone Fast 6 (85), TV/Streaming: FS1 Pole: Colton Herta, Results
4:20 pm-5:05 pm USF Pro 2000 Race #1 (45), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Max Garcia, Results
Sunday July 20
8:30 am-9:00 am NTT IndyCar Series Warm-up (25), TV/Streaming: FS1 Christian Lundgaard fastest
9:25 am-10:05 am USF2000 Race #2 (40), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Jack Jeffers, Results
10:20 am-11:05 am USF Pro 2000 Race #2 (45), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Allesandro de Tullio, Results
12:00 pm NTT IndyCar Series Race – 90 Laps, TV/Streaming: FOX Winner: Pato O’Ward, Results
2:50 pm-3:30 pm Radicals Race #2 (40)
3:45 pm-4:10 pm MX5/MIATA Race #1 (25)
Previous Winners
NTT IndyCar Series: Colton Herta (2024), Other winners in the field include Christian Lundgaard (2023), Scott Dixon (2022, 2018, 2013 both events), Josef Newgarden (2017, 2015), Will Power (2016, 2010 1997)
Weather
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Friday
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75°
63°
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Not as warm with lower humidity with times of clouds and sun
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Saturday
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77°
68°
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Sun and areas of high clouds in the morning, then mostly cloudy in the afternoon
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Sunday
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78°
64°
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Partly sunny with a thunderstorm in spots in the afternoon
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