Key Takeaways (TL;DR): - Session Leader: Álex Palou set the fastest lap (1m14.991s) for Chip Ganassi Racing to top the delayed opening practice session at the newly completed Markham street circuit. - Standout Performance: AJ Foyt Racing rookie Caio Collet surprised the field by setting the second-fastest overall time (1m15.045s), finishing just ahead of RLL’s Louis Foster. - First On-Track Action: Following Friday’s complete cancellation due to unfinished circuit construction, drivers finally hit the track for a split-group practice format to begin Saturday’s compressed schedule. After Friday’s track action was entirely wiped out due to incomplete circuit assembly, the Markham street circuit was finally declared ready on Saturday morning, August 15. IndyCar hit the track for Free Practice 1, with Álex Palou leading the way for Chip Ganassi Racing after posting a benchmark lap of 1m14.991s. Caio Collet turned heads by setting the second-fastest time overall. The AJ Foyt Racing driver posted a 1m15.045s, missing Palou’s mark by just 0.054s. Louis Foster placed third for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with a 1m15.072s effort late in the session. Scott McLaughlin led the Team Penske contingent in fourth (1m15.298s), while Will Power rounded out the top five for Andretti Global (1m15.315s). David Malukas (Penske) ended the session sixth despite reporting brake issues, while Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing) and Marcus Ericsson (Andretti) posted identical times down to the fourth decimal place (1m15.4426s), with Armstrong taking seventh by virtue of setting his time first. Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger) and Dennis Hauger (Dale Coyne) completed the top 10. How Free Practice 1 Unfolded in Markham Despite being a brand-new track for IndyCar, drivers returned to the pits as soon as they completed an installation lap — at most two, as Christian Lundgaard, Sting Ray Robb, David Malukas, Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Santino Ferrucci, Nolan