British racer Toby Sowery has been appointed reserve driver for AJ Foyt Racing for the remainder of the 2026 IndyCar Series campaign, marking a significant step in the team’s evolving driver development strategy.
The 29-year-old brings a wealth of international experience across both single-seaters and endurance racing. His appointment is understood to form part of a broader initiative by the Texas-based outfit to strengthen its technical feedback loop while nurturing emerging talent within its programme.
Sowery’s credentials are notable. Earlier this year, he claimed victory in the LMP2 class at the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. That triumph added to an already impressive résumé that includes multiple podium finishes in endurance racing and a promising, albeit brief, foray into IndyCar competition.
In 2024, Sowery made three appearances in IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing, immediately catching the eye with a 13th-place finish on debut at Mid-Ohio. His adaptability across disciplines—ranging from sprint races to endurance contests—has been a key factor in securing this latest opportunity.
Speaking on his appointment, Sowery emphasised alignment with the team’s ethos: he highlighted shared values such as integrity, accountability, and a commitment to long-term progress. He also expressed admiration for the legacy of A. J. Foyt, whose pioneering spirit continues to define the organisation.
Role and Responsibilities
As reserve driver, Sowery’s duties extend well beyond merely standing by for race-day contingencies. He will play an integral role in simulator development, testing programmes, and race weekend operations, offering detailed technical feedback to enhance car performance.
| Responsibility Area | Key Contributions |
|---|---|
| Simulator Development | Data analysis, setup refinement, driver correlation |
| Track Testing | Car evaluation, tyre behaviour feedback |
| Race Support | Strategy input, standby driver readiness |
| Driver Development | Mentoring and performance benchmarking |
Team President Larry Foyt underscored the significance of the appointment, framing it as part of a renewed push to restore the team’s competitive edge. He pointed to the current line-up—featuring Santino Ferrucci and promising rookie Caio Collet—as evidence of a forward-looking approach.
Foyt also suggested that Sowery’s versatility and technical acumen would be instrumental in bridging experience gaps while helping to attract new commercial interest to the team.
With the 2026 season intensifying, Sowery’s presence provides AJ Foyt Racing with both depth and flexibility—qualities that may prove decisive in a championship where margins are often measured in fractions of a second.
