That's right, the IndyCar circus has made its way north of the border this week, and has arrived in Toronto, Canada following the longest, weirdest detour. (Detroit->Texas->Toronto) (who makes this schedule anyway?)Gone this year are the standing starts and the second race, and with the earlier than normal in the schedule due to the Pan AM Games taking place in July, so to goes the oppressive heat/humidity throughout the weekend. That said, we won't get off scot-free. Some serious storms have rolled through the area this week, and the forecast shows the possibility of a couple more before the weekend is up, which like Detroit, we've all come to expect at least one messy session in Toronto. Sunday however looks clear and sunny.

What to Expect
This race has always been a bit of a pressure cooker, and with the season now officially over the hump, and closing in on the championship (yes, it's only June...) every point counts. Unlike last year, where there were double the championship points up for grabs, this year's schedule returns to one main event on the Sunday on the super tight, super fast, super tough street course. We always expect a lot of bumping and banging on this course, so in light of that, we will expect a lot of cautions as the ever exploding aerokits are introduced to the mean streets of Toronto.

What Happened Last Time
Race #1 (pushed a day due to conditions)
Pole: Sebastien Bourdais
Podium: Sebastien Bourdais, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan

Race #2
Pole: Helio Castroneves
Podium: Mike Conway, Tony Kanaan, Will Power

Here is a look at how the current field has performed at this track: Driver Performance - Toronto

Highlights from the 2014 races:
Race 1


Race 2


Talking Points:

Here’s what Scott Dixon, Will Power, Jack Hawksworth, and Sebastien Bourdais had to say about the 2015 Honda Indy Toronto



Of Note:
It was announced this morning that the Mayor of Hinchtown will be the official Grand Marshall of this weekend's race, preserving his attendance record ;-) Medically cleared for travel, Hinchcliffe will give the command to Start Engines in front of his home town crowd.

Swap em if you got em
This week's round of musical seats sees Conor Daly back in the #5 Schmidt car, filling in for the recovering James Hinchcliffe, while Sebastian Saavedratakes control of the shared seat at Ganassi, and Tristan Vautier and Gonzalez hop in the seats at Coyne.

Who's the Favorite?
Bourdais, Dixon and Power have all won here, twice. Ryan Hunter-Reay has also hoisted the trophy in Toronto, with Kimball, Kanaan, and Castroneves all making a stop on the podium. We seen some spectacular drives on this track, with drivers coming back from being dead last to winning. It's not where you start, it's where you finish. If you can get through the first lap cleanly, you're off to a great start.

Who could surprise?
Jack Hawksworth has a lot of experience on this track in a multitude of series, and he really likes it, so with some luck, which he could use this year, he could pull off a surprise podium. Look for Newgarden, Filippe, and Saavedra to be in the mix too.

If we had to pick just one?
Spidey senses say Dixon continues his surge towards the championship, fighting off Power.

As it Stands:

Reigning Champion: Will Power
2015 Points Leader: Juan Pablo Montoya
2015 ROTY Leader: Gabby Chaves
2015 Manufacturers Leader: Chevy

The details...

Event: Honda Indy Toronto

Venue: Exhibition Grounds/Streets of Toronto, Canada
Track Type: Temporary Street Course

Here is a virtual lap around the circuit:


(Follow along with the Track Map)

TV: NBCSN telecasts taped qualifying (5 p.m. ET June 13) and the race live (3 p.m. ET June 14). Leigh Diffey is the lead announcer alongside analysts Steve Matchett and Paul Tracy. Pit reporters are Jon Beekhuis, Kevin Lee, Katie Hargitt and Robin Miller.

Web/radio: Thankfully, we can still listen to all of the sessions (and the race) via IMS Radio Network on www.indycar.com and for those in the US with Verizon service, via INDYCAR 15 app. (The IMS Radio Network race broadcast also is on member stations, Sirius 209 and XM 209)

NEW THIS YEAR
IndyCar is providing some live streaming feeds for certain sessions via YouTube, (and on the T&S page) with live commentary from IMS radio. All practice sessions for the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series and this weekend's qualifying sessions (Race #1: 3:40 p.m. ET, May 29 and Race #2: 11:25 a.m. ET, May 31) will be available on RaceControl.IndyCar.com.


Also, ESPN is expanding it's reach into Europe with ESPNplayer.com
If you're in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (excluding the UK, France, Italy and South Africa) You can purchase a digital subscription service and catch live and on-demand coverage of the Verizon IndyCar Series season.

For those following along on Twitter this weekend, You can follow along with:
@HondaIndy,

Other follow/bookmark suggestions:
@indycar, @indycarPR
oh, and of course @openwheelworld ;-)

The official #hashtag for the event is: #IndyTO #HondaIndy
Other hastags to follow: #indycar #indycar2015 #indyrivals

Here is this weekend's Entry List

Here is this weekend's Spotter's Guide


Here is this weekend's Full Track Schedule

OF NOTE:Once again, Friday is "FAN FRIDAY" and is FREE courtesy of Honda Dealers of Ontario! Though all are encouraged to make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation upon entry! (the charity associated with the weekend) If you're on the fence about coming down for the weekend, or haven't checked out the event in a while, head down on Friday to see what you're missing! You won't be disappointed.

Here is the weekend IndyCar/Road to Indy schedule:
*all times local*

Friday, June 12
8:45am - 9:10am - USF2000 Practice 1
9:25am - 9:50am - Pro Mazda Practice 1
10:05am -10:30am - Indy Lights Practice 1
10:45am - 11:30 - Verizon IndyCar Practice 1 *live streaming*
1:15pm - 1:45pm - USF2000 Practice 2
2:45pm - 3:30pm - Verizon IndyCar Practice 2 *live streaming*
4:40pm - 5:10pm - Pro Mazda Practice 2
5:25pm - 5:55pm - Indy Lights Practice 2


Saturday, June 13
8:45am - 9:05am - Pro Mazda Qualifying
9:20am - 9:40am - USF2000 Qualifying
9:45am - 10:25am - Indy Lights Qualifying
10:40am - 11:25am - Verizon IndyCar Practice 3 *live streaming*
12:45pm - 1:30pm - USF2000 Race #1
1:35pm - 2:15pm - Pro Mazda Race #1
2:30pm - 3:45pm - Verizon IndyCar Qualifying (Tape delayed on NBCSN)
4:45pm - 5:35pm - Indy Lights Race #1

Sunday, June 14
9:00am - 9:45am - USF2000 Race #2
10:00am - 10:45am - Pro Mazda Race #2
11:45am - 12:55am - Indy Lights Race #2
3:37pm - 5:45pm - Honda Indy Toronto (LIVE on NBCSN at 3pm ET)