Fifteenth Place Finish for Toby Sowery in Toronto
Toronto, ON, Canada (Sunday, July 21, 2024) – Dale Coyne Racing’s Toby Sowery (#51 Global Karting League / Vuzix Honda) moved up from his 21st place in the starting grid to finish 15th in Sunday’s Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. His teammate Hunter McElrea (#18 Courtesy Corporation Honda) was also putting in a great performance moving up the field until a slight touch of the wall damaged his suspenstion and put an end to his race.
Toby Sowery, #51 Global Karting League / Vuzix, Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Honda
Started: 21st
Finished: 15th
• Sowery moved up to 18th at the start of the 85-lap race.
• He was running 16th when he made his first pit stop on Lap 20.
• The rookie ran strong laps and stayed out of trouble.
• He was running 19th when a multicar incident caused a red flag.
• Sowery suffered slight wing damage in the incident but managed to avoid the melee ahead of him.
• The British driver went on to finish 15th in what was his second NTT INDYCAR SERIES start.
Post Race Quote
“We ended up 15th, which is quite a step forward from where we qualified which is always a bonus. There were some big crashes out there, a lot of events going on and we were able to keep it clean. I think it pays just being that little bit smarter, protecting your position and just try to take a step forward bit by bit. The cars were good all weekend, Hunter (McElrea) did a great job, everyone at Dale Coyne Racing has done a great job. I think consistently we’re taking steps forward and improving closer to the front of the grid. I’m super happy that we finished the race in one piece. The car has been great all weekend and hopefully next time we’ll take another step forward and get closer to the front again.”
Hunter McElrea, #18 Courtesy Corporation, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Started: 25th
Finished: 24th
• McElrea was making his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut in Toronto this weekend.
• He gained a couple a few positions at the start of the race and made his way up the ranks as the race progressed.
• The rookie ran competitively as fast as the leaders thoughout his race.
• He made his first pit stop from ninth on Lap 33.
• McElrea then entered pit lane once again, from 10th, on Lap 53.
• Unfortuantely for the driver of the #18 car, he got into the gray on his out lap and tapped the wall.
• The tap was enough for the suspension to fail a few laps later and he entered pit lane on Lap 58.
• The damage put an early end to his day.
Post Race Quote
“First IndyCar race in the books. We were moving forward and had really good pace, pretty much the same as the leaders which is awesome. On my last stint on my out lap, I kind of went in the grey and just brushed the wall. Unfortunately, a couple of laps later the suspension failed from that little brush. It’s unfortunate, I think we could have had a really good result.
“Obviously it was not the end result we wanted, not the result the team deserved either but honestly, I’m super proud of what we did as a whole this weekend. I think we made a splash and showed great pace. I think, had we not had to start in the back we would have started comfortably in the top 15 and fighting with good pace at the front. It’s all what could have been but my first weekend in IndyCar, on paper, wasn’t the result we wanted but I just loved it. Thanks to Dale Coyne, Courtesy Corporation, and everyone for backing me and giving me this opportunity.”
Next up: The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at WorldWide Technology Raceway on August 17, 2024.
