TORONTO, ONT (93.7 The Fan) – PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon was fastest in the first practice for Sunday's NTT IndyCar Series Honda Indy Toronto.
Dixon, the defending race winner, turned a fast lap of 1:01:0723-seconds around the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street course that winds through Toronto's Exhibition Place.
"Toronto is a really fun place to go," said Dixon, the five-time series Champion. "To be at a racetrack downtown and on the water is really an unbelievable setting for us as drivers. The City has grown so much and it's a great market for us."
Dixon's Chip Ganassi Racing team has seven wins on the Streets of Toronto: Michael Andretti (1994), Alex Zanardi (1998), Dario Franchitti (2009 & 2011) and Dixon (2013 x2 & 2018) and hopes to continue that success this weekend.
"It's really another classic street course which allows passing zones for the cars," said Dixon. "I hope we can have a big weekend with the PNC Bank No. 9 car."
Dixon trails points lead Josef Newgarden of Team Penske by 94-points in the Championship standings so now is the time to make a move but it's not going to be easy.
Newgarden was second fastest on the speed chart with a lap of 1:01.2138-seconds, 0.1415-behind Dixon.
Team Penske has four wins at the track: Newgarden (2017), Will Power (2010 & 2016) and Paul Tracy (1993).
"I have always been a fan of Toronto," said Newgarden. "We've had some success there and it's just a really fun course to drive. Not only that, it's a great City and my crew guys and I always have a good time there."
"Toronto's track is really a technical one that makes it a fun challenge," said Power. "Toronto is a race that really relies on a solid strategy and we think we have a few thing to try out that will help out a lot."
Dixon's Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Felix Rosenqvist was third fastest in on the charts, turning a fast lap of 1:01.2395-seconds, 0.0257-behind Dixon and 0.1672-behind Newgarden. Rosenqvist is in the No. 10 Cessna/NTT Honda livery this weekend.
Andretti Autosport's Alexander Rossi sits in second place in the Championship standings, just seven points behind Newgarden. Rossi was 4th fastest in the session after a fast lap of 1:01.3843-seconds, 0.3120-seconds behind Dixon.
"Toronto is one of the most exciting races of the season for us do to the energy of the crowd and the City," said Rossi. "This weekend kicks off a three-week stretch of critical races, so the whole team and I will be needing to bring our 'A' game."
Toronto is only a 5-hour drive from the Pittsburgh area and one that many Penguins fans have made so if you are interested in going more information can be found at hondaindy.com
A second practice session takes place on Friday from 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. ET. A third practice session takes place on Saturday from 10:20 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. ET with knockout-style qualifying starting at 2:00 p.m. ET.
There will be a warmup Sunday morning from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. ET. Driver introductions start at 2:57 p.m. followed by the command to start engines at 3:35 p.m. with the green flag dropping at 3:42 p.m. ET.
The race will be televised by the NBC Sports Network and can be heard on Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network affiliates.
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