Lundgaard Crushes Speed Chart: Markham Race Looms
The Big Race in Markham: Everything You Need to Know About the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy
Welcome to the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in Markham, Ontario! Think of this like the season premiere of your favorite show—new track, new drama, and a whole lot of speed. Here’s the simple breakdown of what happened in the morning warmup and what to watch for when the green flag drops.
Morning Warmup: Who’s Fast Right Now?
Before the real race, drivers do a "warmup" session—like stretching before a soccer game. Here’s who looked the sharpest:
| Position | Driver | Team | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Christian Lundgaard | Arrow McLaren | Won the 2023 Toronto street race |
| 2nd | Rinus VeeKay | Juncos Hollinger Racing | Only 1 career win (2021, Indy road course) |
| 3rd | Louis Foster | Rahal Letterman Lanigan | Polesitter (starts 1st); seeking 1st career win |
| 4th | Romain Grosjean | Dale Coyne Racing | Never won an INDYCAR race |
| 5th | Kyffin Simpson | Chip Ganassi Racing | Rookie; never won a series race |
Full Warmup Results: Official PDF
Starting Lineup (with penalties applied): Official PDF
The Championship Leaders Had a Rough Morning
The top three in the championship standings did not look fast in warmup. That’s a little surprising—but warmup doesn’t always predict the race.
| Driver | Team | Championship Rank | Warmup Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing | 1st (4-time champ, leads by 110 pts) | 19th out of 25 |
| Kyle Kirkwood | Andretti Global | 2nd | Buried near the bottom |
| David Malukas | Team Penske | 3rd | 7th (best of the top 3) |
Important: Palou only needs a decent finish to keep his huge points lead safe. He starts 11th on the grid.
Big Penalty Shake-Up: Grid Positions Changed!
Several drivers have to move back 6 spots on the starting grid because they changed engines without approval. It’s like getting a timeout before the game even starts.
Drivers with 6-Spot Penalties (Announced Saturday):
- Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) → Drops to 22nd
- Will Power (Andretti Global)
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren)
Drivers with 6-Spot Penalties (Announced Friday—used those engines all weekend):
- Alexander Rossi (Ed Carpenter Racing)
- Christian Rasmussen (Ed Carpenter Racing)
- Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian)
Why it matters: Kirkwood was Palou’s closest rival. Starting 22nd makes it much harder to gain points on the leader.
Race Details: When, Where, How to Watch
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Race Name | Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham |
| Laps | 90 |
| Green Flag | Noon ET |
| TV | FOX (also FOX One) |
| Radio | INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls |
| Start Location | Backstretch (between Turns 5 & 6) — for better spacing |
| Finish Line | Between Turns 12 & 1 |
Front Row Storylines: Who’s Starting Up Front?
| Position | Driver | What’s at Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Pole (1st) | Louis Foster | 2nd career pole (last at Road America 2024); chasing 1st career win |
| 2nd | Christian Lundgaard | Wants 2nd Ontario win (won 2023 Toronto); starts alongside Foster |
| 3rd | Rinus VeeKay | Only 1 career win (2021 Indy road course); looking to add another |
| 4th | Romain Grosjean | Veteran; never won in INDYCAR—hungry for a breakthrough |
| 5th | Kyffin Simpson | Rookie for powerhouse Ganassi; never won—big opportunity |
Foster and Lundgaard will race side-by-side into Turn 1. Expect fireworks early!
Key Takeaways (The "Must-Knows")
CALLOUT: 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER
- This is the FIRST INDYCAR race ever in Markham—history in the making!
- Championship leader Alex Palou starts 11th but had a slow warmup (19th fastest).
- Kyle Kirkwood penalized to 22nd—huge blow to his title hopes.
- Louis Foster on pole—young gun going for his first career win.
- Christian Lundgaard starts 2nd—he’s won in Ontario before (Toronto 2023).
Summary
The inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham kicks off at noon ET on FOX. Morning warmup showed Christian Lundgaard on top, but Louis Foster earned the pole. The championship battle takes a hit as Kyle Kirkwood drops to 22nd due to an engine penalty, while leader Alex Palou starts 11th with a massive 110-point cushion. Five of the top six starters have never won an INDYCAR race (or only once)—so a first-time winner is very possible. With a unique backstretch start and a twisty street circuit, expect chaos, strategy, and maybe a new hero.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What time does the race start?
Noon ET on FOX. Coverage also on FOX One and INDYCAR Radio.
2. Why do some drivers start further back than they qualified?
They changed engines without series approval. The penalty: move back 6 grid spots. It’s a rule to control costs and fairness.
3. Can Alex Palou lose the championship lead today?
Technically yes—but he leads by 110 points with only 5 races left. He’d need a disaster, and his rivals would need perfect races. Very unlikely.
4. Who has won at this track before?
Nobody! This is the first INDYCAR race in Markham. But Lundgaard won the 2023 race in Toronto (also in Ontario).
5. What’s special about the start and finish lines?
- Green flag waves on the backstretch (between Turns 5 & 6) — gives cars room to spread out.
- Finish line is between Turns 12 & 1 — not the usual main straight. Adds a twist!
Enjoy the race! Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in, Markham is serving up a fresh, unpredictable INDYCAR showdown.