 |
| In addition to the headline NTT IndyCar Series, the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto on-track activities include a range of other types of racing. The CASC Miata Cup Canada cars were part of this year's festivities for the first time. Pictured above is the Operation Motorsport-supported 1999 Mazda Miata of Huw Leahy. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Summer in Canada goes by so quickly but we certainly know how to make the most of the longer daylight and warm weather. A steady summer ritual for me in July involves a visit to Toronto’s Exhibition Place where the sound of engines is like a siren song. Getting closer, sights are delighted by shapes and colours in motion being handled by a handful of speed warriors. Of course, I’m talking about the 2025 edition of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto that took place from July 18th to the 20th delighting with a weekend of racing activities.
To go back to what I had written about this season moving so quickly, the chequered flag for the race flew more than a week and a half ago before I had a chance to compile this article reviewing my visit. I’ll level with you on three key facts. Firstly, I enjoy the music of Rush but I do not believe in rushing. I’ve gained a few more lessons in regards to appreciating the fruits of patience. In a world where we get much of our news instantaneously, it’s difficult for me to compete on the front of breaking news (Forgive me for coming to the conclusion that I believe you as readers have not been relying on me for that material). Instead, it’s my goal to take extra time to let a topic or experience age. The second factor reflects on my poor pre-planning for my journey going to the race. The eagerness for attending to event leaves me with showing up with little or no sleep from the night before.
The third reason is something that I could only describe (at this point) as a long exhaustion that can’t be cured by sleep. Every day I prepare to run a major race only to be constantly caught up in some mess in the first corner. When this happens so often over the course of several decades it becomes wearing. There’s nothing I can do but keep trying as there is a special handful of people who have placed support in me and I fear disappointing them most. However, please don’t allow me to bother you too much about that latter issue since I’m sure we all have those moments. Events like the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto is one of those times of the year where, in spite of being tired, I gain a unique sense of regeneration with only a struggle for where to apply this energy.
In more recent years, my appearance at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto involves a roughly three-hour journey in the early morning hours. Thankfully being summertime, the trip wasn’t nearly as daunting as my most attendance at this year’s Canadian International AutoShow that involved fording snow banks after a massive snowstorm. I never tire when I approach Toronto and first catch a glimpse of the CN Tower. From the gorgeous standing structure, the Prince’s Gate would be the next crucial landmark to see readying for a day of racing action.
 |
| Morning view of the Prince's Gate (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Entering the grounds, one of the few pet peeves I have every year of attending the racing event. The gate security is almost always impolite with my interaction being needlessly confrontational last year. On that occasion, I was entering Exhibition Place while there was the customary noise of race engines (specifically USF2000 race cars running in morning practice). After showing and opening my main bag, the security person was mumbling to see inside of a smaller bag. With the engine sound, I didn’t hear him and he proceeded to shout at me. He still wasn’t immediately clear with his instructions but I eventually assembled what he was saying. It was not required to yell at me and I would appreciate it if the event organizers would recognize the importance of signage and non-verbal communications as we are clearly competing against quite a bit of noise through the weekend. It really unnerved me at the start of the morning in 2024 to have that kind of greeting as I showed up to the event. However, I want to make it clear that despite my poor initial interaction with the gate staff, last year and this year had plenty of wonderful personnel and volunteers.
This year, I’m aware of at least one security person inside the event was exceptional in using simple gestures (and I’m not talking about obscene ones). Entering the event for 2025, I went through the Enercare Centre entrance and opened both of my bags ahead of being screened just to make the experience as painless as it should be. After a quick donation to one of the pleasant Make-A-Wish Canada volunteers involved in raising money through a Fan Friday tradition, my day officially started.
 |
| A staple display at recent events held at the Toronto street course supplied by William Ashley, a pre-2012 IndyCar resting on four bone china teacups (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Travelling through the halls of the Enercare Centre, I heard the screaming engines of Radical Cup Canada cars as they sail down the start/finish line stretch of the track. You can literally feel the sense of speed inside the convention hall with pulsating vibrations. Setting a clear water bottle down on one of the benches towards the windows provides a visible reference to this gentle shaking.
One perk of Fan Friday at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto is spectators are welcomed to view the on-track happenings from any grandstand. With morning practice Radical Cup Canada practice close to concluding, I briefly sat in a small grandstand at the track’s turn 11 looking forward alongside the frontstretch. I remain impressed by the Radical race cars being relatively sophisticated vehicles that can be fielded affordably for amateur and professional drivers. The 2025 event was the third consecutive year for the Radical Cup Canada to race inside Toronto. Sanctioned under FEL Motorsports, the tour had been paired with the Sports Car Championship Canada (SCCC) in previous runnings of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto but a decision was made to pause it for the 2025 season.
 |
| Radical Cup Canada cars on pit road during Friday morning practice (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
A late addition replacing filling the role of the SCCC cars that were intended to run for the weekend, the Miata Cup Canada provided a new breed of production-based racing in Toronto. Opened to all years of Mazda Miatas or Mazda MX-5s, this attractive showing of lightly modified examples of the Japanese sports car sanctioned under the Ontario region of the Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs (CASC). As Miata Cup Canada competitors took to the track for the first time for practice, I relocated to a larger grandstand section along the frontstretch relishing the view of the race cars zooming under the pedestrian bridge into turn 11. I stayed in the spot for the practice sessions for the USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 series.
 |
| The Miata Cup Canada is a racing seires that maintains much of the sports car's production character. Note the headlights running on the #17 2000 Miata of Karl Langeveldt entering turn 11 on the Toronto street course. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Two important steps for young drivers aspiring to someday pilot a car in the NTT IndyCar Series, these series have been attributed to the rise of historic names as Greg Moore and Dan Wheldon. In more recent times, Kyle Kirkwood who now competes the #27 Andretti Global IndyCar entry graduated by winning championships in both divisions. The open wheel race cars for USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 are essentially the same with exception of engine power with the USF2000 propelled by 175 horsepower while the USF Pro 2000 features powerplants generating 275 horsepower. For 2025, two Canadians have been making themselves noticed in the ladder series. Running in the SCCC last year, 16-year-old Anthony Martella returned to the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto as a rookie in the USF2000 behind the wheel of the #9 Jay Howard Driver Development team. Toronto native Martella scored a massive victory in May winning a 75-lap race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park’s on the 0.686-mile oval. Competing in USF Pro 2000 for a second season, Canada’s Mac Clark returned to his hometown in 2025 as highly-ranked in the drivers’ points championship but still chasing a first victory in the series driving the #90 Exclusive Autosport entry.
Results for Martella and Clark would be mixed. Martella finished sixth in Saturday’s race 1 in Toronto but failed to finish in Sunday’s race 2 with the USF2000 competitors. Texas native Jake Jeffers won both USF2000 races for the weekend. Mac Clark’s Toronto race weekend saw him score a podium result on Saturday with third but settled for a tenth on Sunday. Clark leaves the Canadian races third in the series championship while Max Garcia padded his massive lead in the points with a race 1 victory. Alessandro de Tullio won the second race on the streets of Toronto for USF Pro 2000.
 |
| #9 Jay Howard Driver Development car driven by Canadian USF2000 rookie Anthony Martella on pit road. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Past noon, I turned my attention to the NTT IndyCar Series. It was at that time when an unfortunate issue occurred when I went to access the IndyCar paddock area. During Fan Friday, Metrolinx transit once again partnered with the event granting free paddock access to Presto card pass holders. This year, instead of simply presenting the Presto card to a paddock gate attendee that took roughly a minute, the procedure was changed requiring online registration. Although not a terrible idea on paper (or digital paper, I guess), the action of actually gaining access into the paddock became a procedural nightmare. Rather than just showing the digital pass, attendees were required to be cleared through a single gate. By the time I arrived, a large lineup led me to spend 20 minutes just waiting to eventually see preparations by IndyCar teams. Getting in, it felt like the paddock area was far tighter than in previous years tight due to crowds of fellow spectators and the teams themselves. Ever since the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto moved the IndyCar teams’ paddock into the Enercare Centre it’s been frustrating.
 |
| Taken roughly a hour and a half before the NTT IndyCar practice for Friday afternoon, the #5 Arrow McLaren machine of Pato O'Ward is undergoing diligent preparations in the team's paddock. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
I’m not sure if the paddock area space has definitely been decreased but I’m willing to make that conclusion as event has begun locating the traditional Honda fan exhibit inside the same space inside the convention centre. I remembered in past years the Honda branded display used to be a fantastic attraction. In 2012, they had Acura vehicles that appeared in ‘Marvel: The Avengers’ movie available for photo ops on one side of a large outdoor tent and, on the other side, were displays of Honda’s IndyCar engines including one from the CART era. Another year, there were a variety of Indy-style open wheel race cars for the 1930s to the 1980s. However, in recent years, the exhibition seemed more and more uninspired. I attended a student-run auto show where Honda was represented by a presence possessing greater substance than what I have been seeing at the race in Toronto sponsored either by the auto company or its dealers. At this year’s race, I was impressed to see race simulators incorporating the Toronto street course. It’s been difficult for me to find a modern racing game that features a recreation of this race track.
 |
| With the photo taken early on Friday, the Honda display at the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto proved popular this year largely due to a number of race simulators. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Arriving at about 9:30 while crowds were light, I admit I would be greatly misled to believe this would last through the day. By noon, I was joined by what had to be a record number of spectators since 2009. Admittedly, large crowds can rattle me and I am frequently left on the defensive when navigating around. I tend to favour being considerate to other’s space a movement more than others are considerate of me in general. You may have noticed that I made no mention of what I experienced inside the IndyCar paddock area. After the long line just to get into the paddock, so many people around made it near impossible to see anything interesting and felt I was being herded. The blaring music from the Honda exhibit heard throughout the hall was also not ideal when someone already feels uncomfortable in a confined space. Sorry, I make every effort to remain positive and not ruin other people’s fun but this is one occasion I suffered in silence.
However, while being in a sea of people shook me, I separated my own discomfort in crowds to appreciate everyone else’s appearance at the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. The realization that I am part of a glorious turnout focused around Canada’s lone visit by the NTT IndyCar Series in 2025 was something a racing fan who cares about the sport should be thrilled by. Individuals, couples and families appeared to be enjoying the fine day themed around motorsports. Besides showing up to witness practice and qualifying, they bought food and merchandise at various vendors. While I expressed my dissatisfaction with the line for the paddock due to the pass mishandling, there was an even longer line in the Enercare Centre for an autograph session with the IndyCar drivers. From what I experienced on Friday at the event as well as what I saw of Saturday and Sunday, it’s clear that IndyCar benefits greatly from the interest of the sport in our country. Perhaps once again a second or third event in Canada for the series is warranted. Firstly, a nice long-term contract between IndyCar, the event and the City of Toronto should be a priority to honour all the fans who showed up for the 2025 edition of the race.
 |
| Dedicated race fan standing in line during the IndyCar drivers' autograph session. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Grabbing a bite to eat, I sat along the grassy hill lining Lake Shore Boulevard watching the qualifying sessions for the USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 series. There have been a number of memories that flooded my mind from this view. First, I remembered the first Indy race I attended at the track in 1998 as a teenager. Someone with the race’s event staff had a brilliant idea of selling grandstand seats further up that section of the track calling it Thunder Alley. Although the seats provided a worthwhile spectacle for some time, it was far from ideal for watching the race. Cars coming off the second turn were almost always travelling single file and there was little more to see than the cars just whiz by. There was a viewing screen set up to the action televised across the track but it rarely worked all weekend. As for the P.A. system, it was difficult to hear much once the engines started to roar and a beer garden behind the grandstand where live bands played. I remembered the 1998 Molson Indy Toronto winner being Alex Zanardi but I didn’t realize how much of an entertaining race it was until I recently watched the CBC recording on YouTube ahead of this year’s event. That first visit is the only time I’ve attended the event on Sunday’s main race day. Despite everything I mentioned, it was still an experience I am fond of.
 |
| For the past several years, the Toronto Police and the Ontario Provincial Police have pleased the crowds, in particularly younger crowds, with a showcase of modern and classic police vehicles. Pictured above is Blinky, a modified Plymouth Caravelle that first appeared in the 1980s. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
The second memory was triggered from seeing the reconstruction going on at the Ontario Place property. Years ago, my aunt and uncle took my brother and I to watch an IMAX double feature in the Cinesphere with one film being Super Speedway. Naturally, I greatly enjoyed that movie and currently have it on DVD maybe ideal for an upcoming summer viewing. A final vivid memory I had of Ontario Place was the night I watched Super Speedway there was a Roch Voisine concert at the Molson Amphitheatre (now Budweiser Stage) and from the distance overheard ‘She Picked on Me’ being performed. I’m not entirely sold on the redevelopment plans for Ontario Place but I do hope there will be great possibilities for a new set of happy memories for current and future generations on the site.
Refocusing on the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto came just in time for the biggest show for Fan Friday as the NTT IndyCar Series competitors were unleashed on the race track for an afternoon practice. My view of the session came courtesy of the turn 10 grandstand overlooking pit road. From my position, I had a great view of the #18 Dale Coyne Racing team stall for driver Rinus VeeKay and Canada’s Devlin DeFrancesco competing in the #30 car for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team. It’s always a thrilling sensation hearing the Honda and Chevrolet powerplants for the open wheel racing series come to life followed by the squeal of the cars launching from their pit road spots.
 |
| Hopping into his #30 car as Friday's NTT IndyCar Series practice was set to start, Canadian Devlin DeFrancesco for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing was intent to make a strong showing in front of a home country crowd. Unfortunately, all the efforts of him and his team were spoiled by crashing out in Sunday's race. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
It wasn’t surprise that Andretti Global showed their prowess at the Toronto street course. Colton Herta returned to the race as its reigning winner with a strong performance driving the #26 car. It was admittedly a victory I took added pleasure in seeing since him and Andretti Global public relations granted me some time to ask questions for an article I published for my 2024 race preview. Do you think it would be by any means inappropriate to feel like my interview provided some sort of luck to Herta last year? For this year’s Friday practice, it was Kyle Kirkwood who found an edge to take the top time.
I’ve been a bigger fan of previous years where a morning and afternoon practice were held for IndyCar on Friday. Due to the timing for this year’s IndyCar practice, I could only watch about an hour before having to return home. I left with plenty of photos and videos but refrained from any other purchases this year other than donation for Make-A-Wish Canada and lunch. None of the die cast cars for the current IndyCar drivers are exceptionally attractive to me (I couldn’t even find a Devlin DeFrancesco car). Once again, there was no official program for the Toronto race. Yes, I know this is a digital world but a physical, paper program was a memento that works on many levels. Not only does it detail everything that happened on the race weekend but a program captures the culture of each event. The Car FYI Canada PDF Toronto Indy race guide I created last year was my attempt of filling in the gap in my own way. If I do it again, I would appreciate greater cooperation from the staff of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.
 |
| Will Power's #12 Verizon car for Team Penske on pit road. The Australian veteran and three-time winner of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto was 5th fastest in the Friday practice session. (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) |
Summarizing my 2025 visit to the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, I actually had a great time. Forgive my expressions of certain criticisms as it only made up a small portion of my experience throughout the day. There’s a reason I spend weeks ahead of the race weekend preparing for the trip. The sight of outstanding race machine and watching some of the greatest drivers performing their craft in person is something so addictive. The variety of competition from Mazda Miatas engaged in more amateur level racing to the globally-sourced professionals of the NTT IndyCar Series is a well-rounded diet for any motorsport enthusiast to feast on. The event is always something special for my summer as I am sure it is for many others. Contrary to the attitude I expressed earlier in this article, I do find it pleasing to be surrounded by fellow motorsport fans when attending this wonderful Canadian racing event. It’s more about me feeling alone in such a large audience.
With next year marking the 40th anniversary of the event at Exhibition Place, I look forward to seeing a marvellous celebration appropriate to honour four decades of everyone behind the event and the fans who have made it a brilliant Toronto attraction as well as a thriving venue on the IndyCar calendar.
Comments
Post a Comment