Fox Corporation to Broadcast First-Ever IndyCar Race in Markham

The IndyCar Series is set to tackle a new venue this weekend with the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. The event features a 90-lap competition on a 2.19-mile, 12-turn street course in Markham, Canada. This race marks a shift from the previous Toronto event, expanding the series’ footprint into a new market.

From a media perspective, the broadcast rights are held by Fox Corporation. The race is scheduled to air on the Fox network on Sunday, Aug. 16, with coverage starting at noon ET and the green flag waving at 12:22 p.m. The broadcast team includes play-by-play commentator Will Buxton, analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell, and pit reporters Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee, and Jack Harvey. The race was previously held in Toronto, where Pato O’Ward took the checkered flag last year.

Fans looking to tune in earlier in the weekend can catch practice and qualifying on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) and Fox Sports 1 (FS1). Practice sessions are slated for Friday at 3 p.m. ET and Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. Qualifying will take place Saturday at 2:25 p.m. ET on FS1. A warm-up session is also scheduled for Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. ET on FS2 ahead of the main event.

On the track, championship leader Alex Palou enters the weekend with momentum, seeking his fourth consecutive series title. Despite the unfamiliar layout, his record of 25 wins in 110 starts positions him as a contender. Analysts are also watching Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global, who is noted for his strength on street courses and is a favorite to challenge for the win despite the lack of prior track data for all drivers.

What to watch

• Ratings Viewership: Monitor viewership numbers for the Sunday broadcast on Fox to gauge audience interest in the new Markham venue.
• Ad Revenue Impact: Look for commentary regarding advertising demand for the IndyCar slot within Fox’s programming lineup.

Source: original release