IZOD IndyCar series driver James Hinchcliffe (aka "the Mayor of Hinchtown") met Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at City Hall on June 4, during which Mayor Ford presented Hinchcliffe a proclamation welcoming him to the 2012 running of the Honda Indy Toronto.

The event, which will be held for the 26th time, takes place July 6-8 on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place. The circuit is already under construction.

Hinchcliffe in MilwaukeeHinchcliffe, driver of the No. 27 GoDaddy.com car for Andretti Autosport, is a native of suburban Toronto and will compete in the race for the second year. 

For the third year in a row, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association is sponsoring Free Friday on July 6. Through spectator and Ontario Honda Dealers Association donations, more than $200,000 has been raised for Make-A-Wish the previous tow years.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti is the reigning race champion. TICKETS, INFO

The next night, Hinchcliffe (left) threw out the ceremonial first pitch and watched the game between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

XYQ to be sponsor of Milwaukee IndyFest, joins INDYCAR partner lineup

INDYCAR has entered into a partnership with XYQ, which will see the augmented technology company and application service provider named as the entitlement sponsor of the Milwaukee IndyFest Presented by XYQ on June 15-16 at the Milwaukee Mile. TICKETS, INFO

XYQ will create a wireless application called the Milwaukee IndyFest WayFinder, designed to help fans navigate at-track activities through geo-coordinate technology.  The smartphone application will be available for download in the Android Marketplace as well as at iTunes.

"The Milwaukee IndyFest is a great opportunity to utilize our technology to help modernize the guest experience at the oldest track in the country," said John Marcum, founder of XYQ Inc. "This real-time application service will allow fans to find everything they need at the track to ensure they don't miss out on any of the on- and off-track action during race weekend. We feel the synergy between the sport and our company is a great way to highlight our technology in a way that will benefit the fans." 

Under the agreement, XYQ will be the official Augmented Technology and a New Media Partner of INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.

Enter to win ride with Mario

Mario Andretti will take Jeff Cox of Dayton, Ohio, for the ride of a lifetime around the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway oval in a two-seater IndyCar in advance of the green flag June 9.

Cox was the winner of the seventh "Fastest Seat in Sports" sweepstakes. For information about how you can register, go to www.shophonda.com.

Did you know?

Almost 20.3 million people watched at least one minute of the Indianapolis 500 on ABC on May 27, with the average viewer watching a total of 70 minutes of the race.

Of note

Chevrolet, who returned to engine manufacturer competition this season after a six-year absence, has won three IZOD IndyCar Series races at Texas Motor Speedway: Jeff Ward, 2002; Sam Hornish, Jr., 2002; Tomas Scheckter, 2005. … The A.J. Foyt Racing crew changed the Honda engine in the No. 14 ABC Supply car at the shop before it reached its 1,850-mile limit, which will incur a 10-grid spot penalty at Texas. … The No. 78 Lotus HVM Racing car driven by Simona de Silvestro also will receive a 10-grid spot penalty for an unapproved engine change.