Indy Toronto president Jeff Atkinson says race is ‘overdue’ for Canadian winner
TORONTO — It’s been 13 years since a Canadian has been atop the podium at the Honda Indy Toronto, and race president Jeff Atkinson thinks it’s about time that cold streak came to an end.
The last time a Canadian driver won the event on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place was in 2003, when Toronto native Paul Tracy captured the checkered flag. Tracy, whose IndyCar career spanned over two decades, also won the event in 1993.
James Hinchcliffe holds Canada’s best chance at a victory this weekend at the Indy Toronto. The Oakville, Ont., native has five top 10 finishes so far this year and is searching for his first victory of the season on his hometown track.
“I think it would be very exciting for us,” Atkinson said on Thursday. “We were lucky enough to have Paul Tracy win twice on this race track. And I hate to say we’re overdue, but we’re overdue. And it would be nice to celebrate a Hinchcliffe win.”