On July 18, following the first practice session at the Indy Toronto street race, IndyCar drivers Will Power and Kyle Kirkwood addressed the media to emphasize the potential for IndyCar’s international expansion. Both drivers praised the enthusiastic fan presence at the only race outside the United States on the IndyCar schedule, highlighting the event’s success as a catalyst for future overseas growth.
The Indy Toronto event stands as the lone international round currently held by the American open-wheel series, with the rest of the calendar focused entirely within the United States. Discussions are reportedly underway regarding a potential race in Mexico, possibly as early as 2026, which would represent another step toward broadening the series’ global footprint. Additionally, drivers like Pato O’Ward have proposed Japan and European destinations as promising markets for IndyCar’s future international events.
Drivers Reflect on Toronto’s Fan Engagement and Potential Markets Abroad
Will Power, reflecting on the packed grandstands at Toronto, expressed his genuine surprise and admiration for the crowd’s enthusiasm. He said,
“I was going to say, I was sitting there, I looked at the grandstands, they were full. I was really impressed.” —Will Power, IndyCar driver
The conversation then turned to whether the substantial attendance at Toronto indicates readiness for IndyCar to explore additional international venues. Power confidently highlighted Europe, Japan, and Australia as viable options for attracting large audiences, recalling past positive experiences with racing abroad. He stated,
“Yeah, absolutely. I think we’d be very well-received in Europe. Japan, we always get a massive crowd. Went to Australia. Yes, could totally do it. Got to make sense financially. But yeah, I think they’d be surprised. When we raced in Europe in Champ Car in ’07… People were very interested in open-wheel cars over there. I think it would be very good markets for us, I believe.” —Will Power, IndyCar driver
Kyle Kirkwood agreed with Power’s assessment, adding his thoughts on how sporting cultures vary internationally compared to the U.S., reinforcing the idea that IndyCar could gain significant support globally. Kirkwood remarked,
“I kind of second that, right?” —Kyle Kirkwood, IndyCar driver
This enthusiasm for international races contrasts sharply with recent domestic attendance, as exemplified by the low turnout for the Iowa event, which attracted only around 6,000 tickets sold and noticeable empty stands. In contrast, Toronto enjoyed robust fan participation, underscoring the pull of races abroad.
Will Power Addresses the Impact of Toronto Performance Amid Contract Discussions
Will Power is currently in a contract year with Team Penske, with his deal set to expire after the 2025 season. Given only five races remain on the 2025 calendar, Power has yet to finalize a renewal, placing additional importance on his performance during the upcoming events. When asked about how critical his results in Toronto and beyond are for securing his future with Team Penske, Power responded thoughtfully,
“Yeah, man, every race, every session. It just matters, you know? Can you believe the year I’m having, in a contract year? Two engine failures in two race weekends. Just one of those things. Not bad luck. It just happens at times.” —Will Power, IndyCar driver
He added,
“I just know these sort of things come round. It’s very typical of life that a bad year would play out when you’re trying to get a contract.” —Will Power, IndyCar driver
Power, who signed with Fernando Alonso’s management group, A14 Management, prior to the 2024 season, is now represented by Oriol Servia. The results he posts over the remainder of his contract term will likely play a key role in negotiating his future with Team Penske.
Future Prospects for IndyCar’s Global Reach
The strong fan turnout at the Indy Toronto race provides tangible evidence that international markets could play a significant role in IndyCar’s growth strategy going forward. With drivers like Will Power and Kyle Kirkwood advocating for races in Europe, Japan, and Australia, and rumors of potential stops in Mexico, IndyCar appears poised to evaluate and possibly expand beyond its predominantly U.S.-based schedule.
Such expansion could address declining domestic attendance figures and generate fresh enthusiasm internationally. However, financial viability will remain a critical factor in deciding where and when additional races are added to the calendar. The success of events like Indy Toronto will be closely watched by officials as they contemplate the future shape and reach of the series.
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