Grand Prix of Toronto

Motorsport and automobile demonstrations has a history at Exhibition Place going back over 100 years.^[3][4] Automotive shows, displays, races and driving demonstrations have taken place on the grounds since the invention of the automobile, including the first appearance of an indy car, the 1916 Indianapolis 500 winning Peugeot during the 1918 Canadian National Exhibition.^[5]

From 1952 until 1966 the Exhibition Stadium grandstand hosted stock car racing on a paved quarter mile circuit on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, hosting crowds upwards of 20,000 often broadcast live on CBC in Toronto.^[6][7] In 1958 the venue hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race, the Jim Mideon 500. The race was the first of Richard Petty's 1,184 starts in NASCAR and was won by his father Lee Petty.

Following the 1977 Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, Labatt, the sponsor who held the rights to F1 racing in Canada at the time, as well as the owners of Mosport Park revived the proposal to move the race to Exhibition Place after the FIA deemed Mosport as an unsuitable host facility going forward.^[8] Toronto city council turned down the proposal by a margin of two votes and within a few hours, Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau had negotiated with Labatt to move the race permanently to Montreal.^[9][10][11]

In 1984, Molson Breweries in-house promotional division, Molstar Sports & Entertainment acquired the rights to CART sanctioned IndyCar races in Canada and ran the first Molson Indy at the Sanair Speedway outside Montreal. The tight tri-oval was unpopular with the CART teams in part due to a severe injury to Rick Mears during the first event.^[12] In the spring of 1985, Molson revived the idea of a street circuit through Exhibition Place in Toronto for a third time. Toronto City Council approved the race by two votes in July 1985 for the race to be held the following year. ^[13]

The first Molson Indy Toronto was won by Bobby Rahal on July 20, 1986. The event quickly became Canada's second largest annual sporting event, eclipsed only by the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, with three-day attendance figures routinely around 170,000 people.^[14]

In the 1996 race, American driver Jeff Krosnoff was killed in a crash with 4 laps remaining. In that same crash, volunteer corner marshal Gary Avrin was killed, and marshal Barbara Johnston also received injuries in the crash; she was treated and released that evening. Adrián Fernández won the race.

The name of the race was changed in 2006 from the Molson Indy Toronto to the Molson Grand Prix of Toronto after it was purchased by the Champ Car World Series from Molstar Sports and Entertainment. The name was also changed to distance Champ Car from the rival Indy Racing League (IRL), which had gained the exclusive right to use the "Indy" name after 2002. In 2007, after Molson dropped their title sponsorship to the race, Steelback Brewery signed a multi-year, multimillion-dollar deal to become the event's title sponsor, renaming it the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto. This marked the first title sponsorship change since the event started in 1986.

The unification of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League was announced on February 22, 2008, and the Grand Prix of Toronto's future was left in doubt. After attempts were made to preserve the race for 2008, it was confirmed on March 5, 2008, that the race had been cancelled. On May 15, 2008, Andretti Green Racing (co-owned by Michael Andretti) purchased the assets of the former Grand Prix of Toronto.^[15] On July 30, 2008, it was confirmed that the race would return to Toronto on July 12, 2009.^[16] On September 18, 2008, Andretti Green Racing announced that it had signed a multi-year agreement with Honda Canada Inc. for the title sponsorship of the race, henceforth named from 2009 onward as the Honda Indy Toronto.^[17]

In 2013, the race weekend was changed to a 2 race format with one race Saturday and one race Sunday. The Saturday race would feature a standing start while the Sunday race would be a rolling start. After an aborted standing start Saturday leading to a rolling start, teams and officials agreed to try the standing start again Sunday. The Sunday standing start was successful on its first attempt and was the first successful standing start in unified IndyCar series history (the Champ Car World Series had used standing starts late in its history shortly before unification). In 2014, weather forced both races to be run Sunday, exposing the difficulty in logistics of running two races in an already packed schedule. By 2015, both standing starts and the two race format were abandoned.

In 2016, the track layout was modified to accommodate the newly constructed Hotel X Toronto. Under the new layout, the pit lane was moved to the opposite side of the race course, starting at the outside of turn 9 and exiting just after turn 11. This, in turn, made turn 11 a sharper turn than it had been in the previous configuration.^[18]

Michael Andretti is the all-time race win leader with seven victories.

The 2020 and 2021 editions of the event were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, marking the second gap in the race's history. This came due to the restrictions that were in place barring non-essential travel at the Canada–United States border (as most IndyCar Series races are within the United States) and after Mayor John Tory announced that all mass public gatherings were banned throughout the summers of 2020 and 2021 respectively in response to the pandemic.^[19][20]

Following the cancellation of the 2020 race, a new three-year agreement was reached in September 2020 between Exhibition Place and Green Savoree Toronto to host the event through 2023.^[21]

On March 14, 2024 it was announced that the new title partner of the race would be the Ontario Honda Dealers, changing the name to the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.^[22]

In 2025, the race would return to being 90 laps and would be the shortest race on the IndyCar Series schedule, at 160.72 miles (258.65 km), even after the series lengthened races on the schedule.

In September 2025, it was announced that the event would be moved to the city of Markham, Ontario for the 2026 season as part of a 5-year deal.^[23]

Charities

During the tenure of Molson's original race ownership, the Molson Indy Festival Foundation hosted various fundraising events in the city in the week leading up to the race week. As of 2004 the foundation had donated $5.6 million towards community groups and charitable organizations.^[24]

In 2010 the race introduced the annual Fan Fridays to the race weekend. In lieu of paid admission, attendees are encouraged to make a contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation upon entering the grounds.^[25] The initiative has raised $820,000 as of 2019 for the organization dedicated to granting wishes for children with critical illnesses.^[26][27]

• 1990: Race shortened due to rain.
• 1996: Race shortened due to fatal crash involving Jeff Krosnoff and a track marshal.
• 2014 I: Race postponed from Saturday to Sunday morning due to rain. Shortened to accommodate regularly scheduled Sunday race.
• 2014 II: Race shortened due to time limit.

Road to Indy

More information CART American Racing Series, Season ...

CART American Racing Series Season Date Winning driver 1986 July 20 Fabrizio Barbazza 1987 July 19 Tommy Byrne 1988 July 17 Calvin Fish 1989 July 23 Gary Rubio 1990 July 22 Paul Tracy CART Firestone/PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Series 1991 July 21 P. J. Jones 1992 July 19 Bryan Herta 1993 July 18 Bryan Herta 1994 July 17 Steve Robertson 1995 July 16 Greg Moore 1996 July 14 Gualter Salles 1997 July 20 Hélio Castro-Neves 1998 July 19 Guy Smith 1999 July 18 Geoff Boss 2000 Not held 2001 July 15 Townsend Bell IndyCar Indy Lights 2002 Not held 2003 Not held 2004 Not held 2005 Not held 2006 Not held 2007 Not held 2008 Not held 2009 July 11 Sebastián Saavedra 2010 July 18 Jean-Karl Vernay 2011 July 10 Stefan Wilson 2012 July 7 Gustavo Yacamán 2013 July 13 Jack Hawksworth 2014 July 20 Alexandre Baron 2015 June 13 Spencer Pigot June 14 Spencer Pigot 2016 July 16 Felix Rosenqvist July 17 Felix Rosenqvist 2017 July 15 Kyle Kaiser July 16 Kyle Kaiser 2018 July 14 Patricio O'Ward July 15 Santiago Urrutia 2019 July 13 Aaron Telitz July 14 Oliver Askew 2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 2022 Not held 2023 Not held 2024 Not held

Star Mazda Championship Season Date Winning driver 2007 July 7 Dane Cameron 2008 Not held 2009 Not held 2010 Not held 2011 Not held 2012 July 7 Jack Hawksworth July 8 Jack Hawksworth Pro Mazda Championship 2013 July 13 Matthew Brabham July 14 Matthew Brabham 2014 Not held 2015 June 13 Florian Latorre June 14 Garett Grist 2016 July 16 Aaron Telitz July 17 Aaron Telitz 2017 Not held 2018 July 14 Rinus VeeKay July 15 Rinus VeeKay Indy Pro 2000 Championship 2019 July 13 Danial Frost July 14 Kyle Kirkwood 2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 2022 July 16 Louis Foster July 17 Louis Foster USF Pro 2000 Championship 2023 July 15 Michael d'Orlando July 16 Myles Rowe 2024 July 20 Simon Sikes July 21 Lochie Hughes

Formula Ford 2000 Championship Season Date Winning driver 2006 July 8 J. R. Hildebrand July 9 J. R. Hildebrand 2007 to 2009, No series, not held U.S. F2000 National Championship 2010 Not held 2011 Not held 2012 Not held 2013 July 13 Neil Alberico July 14 Danilo Estrela 2014 July 20 Jake Eidson Florian Latorre 2015 June 13 Jake Eidson June 14 Nico Jamin 2016 July 16 Victor Franzoni July 17 Parker Thompson 2017 July 15 Parker Thompson July 16 Parker Thompson 2018 July 14 Kyle Kirkwood July 15 Kyle Kirkwood 2019 July 13 Darren Keane July 14 Christian Rasmussen 2020 Moved to Road America - COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic 2022 July 16 Myles Rowe July 17 Jace Denmark 2023 July 15 Simon Sikes July 16 Nico Christodoulou 2024 July 20 Sam Corry July 21 Evagoras Papasavvas

Atlantic Championship Season Winning driver 1990 Freddy Rhemrev 1991 Stuart Crow 1992 David Empringham 1993 Claude Bourbonnais 1994 Richie Hearn 1995 Richie Hearn 1996 Patrick Carpentier 1997 Memo Gidley 1998 Alex Tagliani 1999 Not held 2000 Andrew Bordin 2001 David Rutledge 2002 Michael Valiante 2003 A. J. Allmendinger 2004 Jon Fogarty 2005 Antoine Bessette 2006 Robbie Pecorari 2007 Franck Perera

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SCCA Trans-Am Series

More information Year, Winning driver ...

Year	Winning driver	Car	Ref
1993	Scott Sharp	Chevrolet Camaro	[28]
1994	Tommy Kendall	Ford Mustang	[29]
2004	Jorge Diaz, Jr.	Jaguar XKR	[30]
2005	Paul Gentilozzi	Jaguar XKR	[31]
2010	R. J. Lopez	Chevrolet Corvette	[32]

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Pirelli World Challenge – GT

More information Season, Winning driver ...

Season	Winning driver	Car
2007	Randy Pobst	Porsche 911 GT3
2010	Randy Pobst (GT) Peter Cunningham (GTS)	Volvo S60 Acura TSX
2013	Johnny O'Connell (GT) Lawson Aschenbach (GTS)	Cadillac CTS-V Chevrolet Camaro
2014	Race 1
	Nick Tandy (GT) Marcelo Hahn (GTA) Dean Martin (GTS)	Porsche 911 GT3 R Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 Ford Mustang Boss 302S
	Race 2
	Kuno Wittmer (GT) Michael Mills (GTA) Mark Wilkins (GTS)	Dodge Viper SRT GT3-R Porsche 911 GT3 R Kia Optima

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Pirelli World Challenge – Touring Car

More information Season, Winning driver ...

Season	Winning driver	Car
2007	Peter Cunningham	Acura
2010	Nick Wittmer	Honda Civic Si
2013	Race 1
	Michael Cooper (TC) Joel Lipperini (TCB)	Mazdaspeed 3 Honda Fit
	Race 2
	Michael Cooper (TC) Ernie Francis Jr. (TCB)	Mazdaspeed 3 Mazda 2

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CASCAR Super Series

More information Year, Race name ...

Year	Race name	Winner	Car	Ref
1999	Miller Lite 100	Robin Buck	Pontiac	[33]
2000	Exide 99	Kevin Dowler	Ford	[34]
2001		Robin Buck	Pontiac	[35]
2002	CASCAR Toronto Indy, presented by NAPA	Kevin Dowler	Ford	[36]
2003	Avenue ACDelco 100	Jeff Lapcevich	Chevrolet	[37]
2004	CASCAR Toronto Indy 100	Jeff Lapcevich	Chevrolet	[38]
2005	ATTO 100	Kerry Micks	Ford	[39]

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NASCAR Pinty's Series

The Indy Toronto circuit is based around Exhibition Place, but the heritage of NASCAR and Exhibition Place dates considerably earlier than the 2010 Canadian Tire Series round at Indy Toronto. In 1958, the 31st round of NASCAR's Grand National (now Cup Series) championship was held at the third Exhibition Stadium (located on the site of BMO Field). That race marked the Cup debut of Richard Petty.

More information Year, Race name ...

Year	Race name	Winner	Car	Ref
2010	Jumpstart 100	Andrew Ranger	Dodge	[40]
2011	Streets of Toronto 100	Andrew Ranger	Dodge	[41]
2016	Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto	Alex Tagliani	Chevrolet	[42]
2017	Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto	Kevin Lacroix	Dodge	[43]
2018	Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto	Andrew Ranger	Dodge	[44]
2019	Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto	Alex Tagliani	Chevrolet	[45]
2020	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
2022	Grand Prix of Toronto	Kevin Lacroix	Dodge	[46]
2023	Tiffany Gate Grand Prix of Toronto	Alex Tagliani	Chevrolet	[47]

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Stadium Super Trucks

More information Year, Winner ...

Year	Winner	Ref
2013	Justin Lofton	[48]
	Sheldon Creed
2014	Sheldon Creed	[49]
	Sheldon Creed
2015	Scotty Steele	[50]
	Keegan Kincaid	[51]
2016	Matthew Brabham	[52]
	Sheldon Creed
2019	Cole Potts	[53]
	Gavin Harlien
2020	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• Molson Indy Montreal
• Molson Indy Vancouver
• Edmonton Indy
• Mont-Tremblant Champ Car Grand Prix