A new tradition begins this week in Canada.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has been racing at nearby Exhibition Place in Toronto since 1986, but this year the event has shifted to Markham, a suburb to the northeast. This weekend, the first Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham will be held on a new 12-turn, 2.19-mile street circuit designed by Tony Cotman located in the eastern part of the city center.

SEE: Markham Event Details

Markham is a city of 350,000 people, where Europeans first settled in the late 1700s. It was later named after England’s William Markham, who spent more than 30 years as the Archbishop of York. Today, the city is the Canadian home of many multinational corporations, and it is part of a Toronto area boasting more than 7 million residents.

Races in Ontario have been some of the most interesting in the sport’s long and storied history, and this event in Markham has the makings of following suit. This three-day extravaganza offered by Green Savoree Racing Promotions figures to be the first of many to come.

The first practice will be held at 3 p.m. ET Friday (FS2). There is a second practice Saturday at 10 a.m. (FS2) followed by qualifying for the NTT P1 Award at 2:25 p.m. (FS1). FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls also are broadcasting both sessions.

The broadcast of Sunday’s 90-lap race is set for noon on FOX, FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

The circuit features a double-sided pit lane like the one that debuted in Detroit in 2023, a Turn 5 hairpin and a long run to Turn 6. The grandstand positioned outside Turn 3 is centrally located to the festival site, where cars can be seen charging into a 90-degree left-hand turn.

Scott Dixon (four wins), Will Power (two) and Josef Newgarden (two) won multiple races in Toronto, with Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward (photo, top) winning single races. But it’s anyone’s guess who will be the star of this show.

Series points leader Alex Palou, who has won the past three season championships, has won a series-leading six races this season and figures to be a frontrunner this weekend. This will be the fifth street race of the season, and Palou has won three of the first four (St. Petersburg, Long Beach and Detroit). He finished second to Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood in the inaugural event in Arlington, Texas. Kirkwood finished fourth, fourth and second in the other three.

Palou and Kirkwood are 1-2 in the point standings through 13 races, with the Spaniard holding a 110-point advantage over the Floridian.

The move to Markham is the first of two new circuits for the 25-car field. Next week, the series that traces its roots to 1909 will challenge a new street circuit as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. is held.