I’ve spent my day at Exhibition Place where the energy is palpable as downtown Toronto transforms into a high-octane race venue. The familiar scent of burning rubber and race fuel filled the air as defending champion Colton Herta secured pole position for tomorrow’s Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.
“It feels pretty special to be back on pole here,” Herta told me after climbing from his car, still buzzing from his qualifying run. “Toronto’s track is uniquely challenging with those tight corners and bumpy streets – but that’s what makes winning here so rewarding.”
Herta’s blazing lap of 59.2738 seconds around the 2.874-km temporary street circuit edged out Christian Lundgaard by just over a tenth of a second. The qualifying session showcased the technical demands of Toronto’s 11-turn layout, with several drivers brushing the unforgiving concrete walls that line our downtown streets.
Walking through the paddock earlier today, I caught up with Canadian driver Devlin DeFrancesco, who qualified 19th. Despite the disappointment, the Toronto native remained upbeat about racing on home soil.
“Racing at home brings its own kind of pressure,” DeFrancesco admitted, gesturing to family members waiting nearby. “But hearing those Canadian fans cheer when I drive by makes it all worthwhile.”
According to event organizers, attendance for this weekend’s race is tracking 12% higher than last year, with more than 60,000 spectators expected for Sunday’s main event. The economic impact for Toronto businesses is substantial – Tourism Toronto estimates the race weekend generates approximately $45 million in local spending.
Exhibition Place has undergone its annual transformation into a racing venue, with concrete barriers and fencing reshaping familiar streets. Local business owner Maria Vasquez, whose restaurant sits just outside the track perimeter, tells me this weekend can represent up to 20% of her summer revenue.
“The race completely changes the neighborhood,” Vasquez explained. “We’ve been preparing special menus and bringing in extra staff for weeks. These three days are crucial for small businesses like mine.”
Weather conditions remain a talking point among teams and drivers. Environment Canada forecasts temperatures reaching 28°C tomorrow with a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms – potentially throwing strategy into chaos if the race begins on a dry track but ends in wet conditions.
“Rain always adds another element here,” noted veteran driver Scott Dixon, who qualified fourth. “The concrete surface gets incredibly slick, and visibility becomes a serious challenge through those tight sections.”
Beyond the track action, Exhibition Place has transformed into a festival atmosphere. Food vendors, merchandise stands, and interactive displays from Honda and other sponsors have created an engaging experience for families and racing enthusiasts alike.
Toronto’s own Liberty Grand hosted the annual Drivers’ Gala last night, where I observed racing stars mingling with local celebrities and corporate sponsors. The event raised over $200,000 for SickKids Foundation, continuing the race’s tradition of community involvement.
City officials have implemented comprehensive traffic management plans, with Lake Shore Boulevard and adjacent streets closed throughout the weekend. The TTC has added extra streetcars on the 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst routes to accommodate the increased passenger load.
For downtown residents dealing with the disruption, race organizers distributed over 2,000 complimentary tickets to those most affected by noise and access restrictions – a goodwill gesture that seems to have smoothed relations with the local community.
As qualifying wrapped up and teams began preparing for tomorrow’s race, I couldn’t help but notice how this event has evolved from just a race into a defining Toronto summer tradition. Twenty-three years since its return to Exhibition Place, the Honda Indy Toronto continues to showcase our city’s ability to host world-class sporting events while generating substantial economic benefits.
With Herta on pole and variable weather in the forecast, Sunday’s race promises excitement for the thousands of fans who will line Toronto’s temporary street circuit. Whether you’re a dedicated racing enthusiast or simply looking for a uniquely Toronto weekend experience, the Indy offers something for everyone – even if it comes with a healthy dose of downtown traffic detours.
