Friday at the races: Honda Indy Toronto 2013

Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday at the races: Honda Indy Toronto 2013

IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti, winner of the 2011 #Toronto race, takes the pole position for the first of two races at the 2inTO double header race weekend. The inside lane position is the 32nd for Dario and makes for two years in a row for Toronto. Race 1 is Saturday, July 13, 2013 and will feature a standing start for the 85 lap street course through Exhibition Place and onto Lake Shore Boulevard. Defending Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay qualified 6th in the 24 car field. Josef Newgarden, former Indy Lights driver, with the #67 IndyCar enters turn 1 in the photo at top.

UPDATE: See photos from Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and the pretty Grid Girls of the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto.

Dario Franchitti in the #10 Target car passes Princes' Gates

"I'm just delighted for the Target crew to get the pole," said Franchitti, who moved into a tie with Michael Andretti for sixth on the all-time Indy car list by claiming the Verizon P1 Award. "We've had a tough stretch and it just feels good to come back and get the pole."

Tilted Kilt ladies selling calendars

Sports cars run through pit lane and head into turn 1

Today was Fan Friday and the crowds were filling the festival areas while Pro Mazda, Indy Lights, USF2000 and the IndyCars were practicing or qualifying for their respective series. The setup fits quite well with the large chunk of property formerly known as Thunder Alley is off limits due to the ongoing hotel construction. With no Thunder Alley bleachers or the former beer tent gone the hill along Lake Shore Boulevard provides a perfect place for general admission ticket holders to sit in the shade and get a good view of the exciting straight away.

Sometimes these cars go a little slower than race track speeds

Check out the paddocks for exciting mechanical action and see some drivers up close

Pit lane during actual IndyCar races are full of fire suits, otherwise it can be quiet until the cars come onto the track

A streak of colour passes by in the blink of an ee

Indy Lights

The opening ceremonies of the IndyCar double header races, including the driver parade begins at 3 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The Stadium Super Trucks also race on Saturday and Sunday and Paul Tracy will race one of the trucks on Sunday.

See more photos of Friday's fun after the jump.