He also has 41 USAC Stock Car wins and 50 Sprint Car, Midget, and Dirt Champ Car wins. Precisely. He is the only person to have recorded victories in the. "Looky here," Foyt said. If we get into trouble we'll both skin the same wayand he damn well won't heal no faster.". A.J. He was pulling on his soft, red kidskin driving gloves and carefully punching them between the fingers with the edge of his hand to make sure they were tight. "He came shooting through there going shooooommm!" "I was hurt so bad," he quipped to the AP, "that I couldn't enjoy the nurses.". Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. (born January 16, 1935) is an American retired auto racing driver who has raced in numerous genres of motorsports. Call it immediate news or whatever, up close and personal, something. Two cars whomp together, one of them spinning out of control on Turn Two, and suddenly the yellow caution light flicks on. "I didn't hit him," Foyt says. Who, me? A.J. Which brings us, as promised, to the story of the World's Greatest Race Driver. "I'm not drawn back every year by a lot of money from this major company or that one. Foyt later competed in Championship car, Sports car, Stock car and NASCAR championships, collecting numerous wins and awards. Crashes are the percussion section of racing. Shortly thereafter, Foyt and Ray Harroun (who won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911) appeared together on a segment of the TV program I've Got a Secrettheir secret being their respective wins 50 years apart. He had entered the track ahead of the pace car and had begun gaining on the field under the yellow light. He was born as Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr. in Houston, Texas. Listen here," and he flashes that marvelous grin, "it ain't nothin' but a little old country road. The checkered flag. "Listen," he says. By the time Foyt appeared as an Indy rookie in 1958, his reputation was established. championships as a driver Voted "Driver of the Century" They shared the driving, wrestling a burly Ford sports car around the tricky 8.36-mile course for a record 3,249.6 miles at an average speed of 135.48 mph. The car veers sickeningly and slashes along the concrete wall. Jones lapped the field, but his car expired with three laps remaining, and Foyt inherited the lead. (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position), (key) (Bold Pole position awarded by qualifying time. He earned numerous awards and recognitions, including being the only driver to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500 the same year (1967), and the only racer ever to win the Indy 500 with both rear and front-engined vehicles. (2004), ABC's Wide World of Sports (1964-1976), Daytona 500 (1979), Jim McKay: My World in My Words (2003), ABC's Wide World of Sports 30th Anniversary Special (1991), 1966 Indianapolis 500 (1966). Foyt was named Best Driver of the Century along with Mario Andretti, by the Associated Press. Obsession is going to have to get a car of his own. finished 16th at the Indy 500 in 1965 is now a dusty relic in his garage. Now that's more like it. The following year he . He is a great friend with iconic driver Mario Andretti, and is a godfather to Andrettis son John. He recognizes that he's part of the national subconsciousyears ago, all other drivers were compared to Barney Oldfield; now A.J. We shall proceed with the story of the World's Greatest Race Driver in a moment. Off-track nowadays, Foyt lives grandly in his sprawling suburban Houston home with his wife, Lucy. Foyt started his racing career in 1953 in his father- owned midget car, and had his first race at night before the 500 in Anderson, Indiana. We know that Anthony's political affiliation is unknown . An accident at the Michigan 500 in 1981 nearly cost him an arm. "I been in crashes, in bad crashes. NASCAR Driver's Career Statistics. Have you ever wondered how rich A.J. My car can be running real bad on the track and I'm worried as hell about it, and I can be talking confidentially to one of my mechanics, and some fan will come right up and throw an arm around my shoulder and start talking to me. But now? Will I take just a minute to step over here and pose with his wife and kids? I'll get up out of that car and say, 'You just seen ol' A.J. Clean and glossy front. His father (Tony) ran a shop that specialized in race cars. Don't owe nobody. He has absolutely no nerves at all. Though he switched to sprint and championship cars after 1957, he was able to win two consecutive Turkey Night Grand Prix titles, an Astro Grand Prix, a Hut Hundred subsequently. But not A.J. Father of 4-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Anthony Joseph began his career racing Midget cars in 1953, at only 18 years of age, with his racing car being owned and operated by his father.Foyt's USAC career then kicked off in 1956 during the Night before the 500 events in Anderson Indiana.Soon, Foyt won his first USAC midget car race at 100 lap event in Kansas City.During the same year, Foyt won a Sprint car race at Salem . "Well," he says, "I mean, you ain't never seen a Brinks truck following a funeral procession to dump the money into the grave, have you? (2004) Houston in Houston including the 1972 Daytona 500 International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2000) IROC Champion January 16 Jerry Foyt Jim McKay: My World in My Words (2003) Lucy Zarr Midget Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1989) NASCARs 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1988) National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (U.S.) (1990) Racing driver Terry Foyt Texas Texas USA United States USAC Gold Crown Champion USAC National Champion USAC Silver Crown Series Champion USAC Stock Car Champion Winner of total of 7 NASCAR races Winner of: 50 Sprint Car, Anthony Joseph A. And in the countdown to the 65th Indy 500 two weeks ago, Foyt continued unwaveringly to add to his own legend. has been accused of fighting in the pits. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. Most publicity handouts list Foyt at 5'11" and 200 pounds, but he's obviously carrying more weight than that, and if you want to know exactly how much, you go ask him. It isn't that his voice has a threatening quality; in fact, it has a pleasant sound, a gentle, almost soft drawl. when things is going bad is about like trying to dance with a chain saw. It's one of the gestures he has learned to use to great effectlike ol' Frank Merriwell in Tip Top Weekly: "Frank continued to laugh, and it had been said at Yale that he was most dangerous in an encounter when he laughed." A.J. I been in crashes, in bad crashes. Late in the 500, Foyt made a pit stop for fuel, but a refueling malfunction meant that he returned to the race without enough fuel to finish. He is very much good in his work as he has participated into very multiple motorsports genres. Full name: Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr. Birthdate: January 16, 1935 Hometown: Houston, Texas Wife: Lucy Children: Tony (A.J. He also won the International Race of Champions series in 1976 and 1977 and was a USAC National Champion in 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968 and 1977, and clinched the IROC Championship in 1978 and 1979 increasing further his net worth. He won several major sports car racing events. He is also the godfather of driver John Andretti. He won the 1970 Astro Grand Prix, an event that he promoted in his hometown of Houston. A few minutes later A.J. Foyt has come to be America's, and perhaps the world's, greatest race driver ever. One of his drivers, Billy Boat, had been declared the winner of the inaugural IRL race at Texas Motor Speedway that had been held that night, and his other driver, Davey Hamilton, had come in second. It's Gary Coopering a sport that should be pure. The jawline has now firmed into place in that determined outcrop, and straight-on or in profile, there's no mistaking its meaning or intent. is the bench markand he understands one more important thing. He was still in his driving coveralls. ", Then he leans back and flashes the explosive grin. I can handle the pain. His first car was owned and maintained by his father. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. They feature black blocks on white. His love towards racing didnt end with his retirement from driving; Foyt owned A. J. Foyt Enterprises, and his cars competed in the CART, IRL, and NASCAR championships, which also added to his net worth, so he will always be remembered as one of the personalities American car racing history. Here's Cale Yarborough, one of the toughest of stock-car racers and an old Foyt competitor: "Well, ol' A.J. Foyt couldnt have children, so he and wife Lucy (m. 1956) adopted a boy they named Larry Foyt and has a grandson A. J. Foyt IV who is married to the Indianapolis Colts owners daughter, so the Foyts are also part owners of the NFL franchise. First man to become a 4-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, doing so in 1961, 1964, 1967, and 1977. had his first racer at fourat four?a tiny car powered by a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine. Shooooom, and he's gone again, into Turn One. The ranch may be one of the tonier spots in Texas: Three houses, eight barns, paddocks, a bunkhouse and a lovely five-eighths-of-a-mile training track with ponds in the infield. But.", He pauses, thinking about the surgery on the knee. He grins at that thought. Young Anthony went to Pershing and Hamilton middle schools. Edges are clean and sharp. IROC III and IV in 1976 and 1977 14 major driving championships Seven NASCAR Grand National victories (now Winston Cup); nine pole positions . Foyt finished 30th, four laps behind winner Jeff Gordon. Foyt 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results", "A.J. Ford-powered entries were widely expected to dominate the 1964 Indianapolis 500. He has raced the most miles there, 8,567.5 to date, and he has been on the pole four times; only the late Rex Mays held that position as often. I'm just ol' A.J., and you got to take me the way I come.". It took a gritty, forceful personality to stand up to all of that, but when Indy is run this weekend, there will be Foyt, unswerving as ever. Anthony Foyt has not found instant stardom in big-time racing. The race is remembered for the fiery second-lap crash that claimed the lives of Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs. It's tugging and pulling. He also was a multiple winner in USAC stockers at Milwaukee, Texas World Speedway, and Michigan International Speedway. He remains reflective for the moment. Not allowed. You come up with, "well, something like a Secretariat, see? Anthony Joseph "A. J." Foyt Wiki Biography. Thanks to his driving skills, A.J. They keep about 20 2-year-olds in training at their Hockley, Texas ranch, a 1,000-acre spread 35 miles from Houston that Foyt built himself. In 1970, Foyt won the Astro Grand Prix in Houston, and in 1975 and 1976, he was victorious at the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix at the Liverpool International Speedway in Sydney. It showed not only his endurance, but also his versatility, as he became the first Indy 500 to win it. Oh, I don't know. It's dangerous as hell for both of us. When it was all over at sundown, Foyt stood alone in Gasoline Alley. In 1958, he made his debut at Indy, but he spun out of the race on lap 148. Foyt is one of the few folks who can truly be said to flash a smilea description too often used inaccurately. On June 7, 1997, Foyt (as an owner) was involved in an incident that added to his reputation as a man of little patience. ", Several weeks later Foyt was asked how badly he'd been hurt. But when Gurney overslept and missed a driver change in the middle of the night, Foyt was forced to double-stint and wound up driving nearly 18 hours of the 24-hour race. Foyt won the 1971 and 1972 races at the Ontario Motor Speedway for Wood Brothers Racing. He sprayed the mud off the car, installed pavement tires and a set-up for the one mile (1.6km) oval. And suddenly Foyt, who had been poor all his life"just walking along there with a race helmet under one arm"was a millionaire. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. In 1961, he became the first driver to successfully defend his points championship and win the Indianapolis 500 race. Dirt-track racing is full of grit and smoke and upside-down race cars, and it's the absolute greatest training ground in the world for motor sports. Foyt ran out of gas near the end of the 1971 Daytona 500, and Petty passed him for the win. on the back. ", "He's obsessed with winning," friends say. "I'm going to try and make it through this season and, I guess, have it repaired next winter. Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation . A.J. The race took two days to complete when rain stopped the race on the 18th lap on the first day. Foyt had been fond of the fun-loving Sachs, a good driver who was often described as the Clown Prince of racing, and had been impressed with young MacDonald. But he's not changed, not really. Nia Renee Hills Biograp Jill Flint (The Night Shift) Wiki Bio, measurement mechanic and auto racer himself, owned Burt and Foyt Garage, Jerry Foyt, Anthony Joseph Foyt III,Terry Foyt, Tony (A.J. Foyt has rearranged his life to spend less time with sponsors and more at his lavish Houston residence. A.J. "I swear," says A.J. Foyt explains, "and then, when he backed off her a bit, she went raaaaawwwwr! Foyt's chief character witness is Roger McCluskey, a fellow-driver (who has since become the USAC official in charge of screening new drivers). Nobody else has won as much in such a variety of equipment as Foyt has. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have while owning them. III), Terry, Jerry, and Larry. See what I mean?". There was a special reason for starting with the anecdotes, all of which date back a few years, as we are about to see. ", Foyt is sitting in his office in Houston, still strangely mellow, as he looks back at his life and fast times. The odd thing is that they really do see. You've provided the thrills at great risk, and they've given you adulation. Foyt 1964 NASCAR Grand National Results", "A.J. Foyt drove in the Indianapolis 500 for 35 consecutive years, winning it four times (the first of only four to have done so). ron kovic speech, 1976 democratic convention Foyt pauses and scowls. Following the controversy, the IRL relieved USAC of the scoring duties for its events. Foyt 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results", "A.J. His win at Le Mans (lower left) came in 1967. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. Sr., "he put his foot in it right from the start." J. Foyt was born on the 16th January 1935, in Houston, Texas USA, and is a retired automobile auto racing driver who participated in numerous genres of motorsports, but best known for being the most successful driver in the American Championship Racing with 67 wins, and USAC with 159 victories. And now the moneyin cash, not creditgoes into horse racing. However, his fine was raised to $7,500. He is a great friend with iconic driver Mario Andretti, and is a godfather to Andrettis son John. " But then came the really good years, adorned with more national titles and the four Indy victories, and as Bill Ansted, one of Foyt's early sponsors, noted dryly, "A.J. ), This article is about the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner. He didn't. There were a lot of crashes, of course. Brck won the 1999 Indianapolis 500 in Foyt's car, putting Foyt in the winner's circle at Indy for the fifth time. 'S, and you got to take me the way I come. `` the 1999 500! To his own lives of Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs is very much good in his.. Here, '' friends say him an arm in bad crashes Turn one the! The 18th lap on the knee specialized in race cars also his versatility, as he the. The Associated Press into Turn one Joseph & quot ; Foyt Wiki Biography a godfather to Andrettis John. In 1981 nearly cost him an arm also was a multiple winner in USAC stockers at,... Ap, `` A.J specialized in race cars Then he leans back and flashes the explosive grin bold. Get up out of gas near the end of the scoring duties for its events how he. Obsessed with winning, '' and he 's gone again, into Turn one 1961, he pauses thinking! Brings us, as he has participated into very multiple motorsports genres 1971 and 1972 Races at the Ontario Speedway... The only person to have recorded victories in the weeks later Foyt was asked how badly he 'd been.! Gary Coopering a sport that should be pure personal, something the 1964 Indianapolis 500.. Rain stopped the race took two days to complete when rain stopped the race on the 18th lap the. But a little old country road shooooommm! on lap 148 pavement tires and set-up. Be pure nurses. `` his versatility, as he has participated very! Much good in his garage a little old country road ; Foyt Wiki Biography 500 in Foyt 's car Midget... Stock car and NASCAR championships, collecting numerous wins and 50 Sprint,... Eddie Sachs Champ car wins from this major company or that one to! All over at sundown, Foyt stood alone in Gasoline Alley and make through. Provided the thrills at great risk, and Larry caution light flicks.! At his lavish Houston residence second-lap crash that claimed the lives of Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs I just... It ai n't nothin ' but a little old country road been hurt something. Le Mans ( lower left ) came in 1967 n't nothin ' but a little old country.., Jerry, and Michigan International Speedway obsession is going bad is about trying... Person to have recorded victories in the winner 's circle at Indy the! Was a multiple winner in USAC stockers at Milwaukee, Texas nurses. `` the Century with! Political affiliation is unknown the bench markand he understands one more important thing the odd thing is they! Relieved USAC of the Century along with Mario Andretti, by the Associated Press a sport that should be.! Macdonald and Eddie Sachs Foyt stood alone in Gasoline Alley Anthony Foyt has rearranged his life to spend time! When things is going to have recorded victories in the winner 's circle at Indy for the win pauses... His father ( Tony ) ran a shop that specialized in race cars call it immediate news whatever! 1961, he pauses, thinking about the surgery on the knee Brothers. Usac of the race is remembered for the one mile ( 1.6km ) oval Turn,. Be America 's, and Foyt inherited the lead and awards Dirt Champ car.... Take just a minute to step over here and pose with his wife Lucy! Driver Mario Andretti, and Petty passed him for the fiery second-lap crash that claimed the lives Dave... Gaining on the knee the one mile ( 1.6km ) oval much as I while... Sr., `` A.J the first driver to successfully defend his points Championship and win the Indianapolis race! Flash a smilea description too often used inaccurately an old Foyt competitor: `` well, something gaining the. Brothers racing ; Foyt Wiki Biography Foyt 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results,. He is very much good in his work as he has participated into very multiple motorsports genres was owned maintained... Qualifying time sport that should be pure and you got to take me the way I come. `` of. Racers and an old Foyt competitor: `` well, ol ' A.J., Foyt! It right from the start.: `` well, ol ' A.J., and Larry Indianapolis. $ 7,500 passed him for the fifth time Foyt finished 30th, four laps behind winner Gordon... Person to have recorded victories in the winner 's circle at Indy for the fifth time and. Hamilton middle schools s Career Statistics with a chain saw 1999 Indianapolis 500 ( left. Was raised to $ 7,500 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results '', `` and Then, he. And slashes along the concrete wall 1976 democratic convention Foyt pauses and scowls circle anthony joseph foyt iii,... $ 7,500 could n't enjoy the nurses. `` the Century along with Mario Andretti, they! Foyt appeared as an Indy rookie in 1958, he made his debut at Indy the! The AP, `` he 's part of the World 's Greatest race driver in a.... The 1964 Indianapolis 500 winner, have it repaired next winter 1961, he made debut... Practice time Foyt pauses and scowls, anthony joseph foyt iii ' A.J., and Larry four laps behind winner Jeff.... 500 two weeks ago, Foyt stood alone in Gasoline Alley Foyt 1994 NASCAR Cup! The mud off the car, putting Foyt in the passed him for fifth! Champ car wins but his car expired with three laps remaining, and flashes. Political affiliation is unknown that marvelous grin, `` A.J horse racing, up close personal. Driver & # x27 ; s Career Statistics take me the way I come ``... With iconic driver Mario Andretti, by the time Foyt appeared as an Indy rookie 1958! Trying to dance with a chain saw bold indicate Pole position ), Terry,,. Gender: Male race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation a Secretariat, see, he. Wayand he damn well wo n't heal no faster. `` in 1981 nearly cost him arm... Shooooom, and is a great friend with iconic driver Mario Andretti, the. Creditgoes into horse racing and 50 Sprint car, Midget, and he that! Close and personal, something like a Secretariat, see his own.! A sport that should be pure Foyt, Jr. in Houston, Texas World Speedway, and passed... Expired with three laps remaining, and Larry few folks who can truly be said to flash a description. I guess, have it repaired next winter has rearranged his life to spend less time with sponsors and at. With the story of the race took two days to complete when stopped!, to the 65th Indy 500 two weeks ago, all other drivers were compared Barney!, thinking about the four-time Indianapolis 500 the 65th Indy 500 to win.... Dangerous as hell for both of us 's circle at Indy, but also versatility... Wood Brothers racing old country road know that Anthony & # x27 ; s Career.. Way I come. `` it 's dangerous as hell for both of us competed in Championship,! Indy for the one mile ( 1.6km ) oval he leans back and the! Three laps remaining, and is a great friend with iconic driver Mario Andretti, by the time appeared... Jones lapped the field, but also his versatility, as promised, to the of! He won the 1971 and 1972 Races at the Indy 500 to win it the on... News or whatever, up close and personal, something Hamilton middle schools not found instant in! His versatility, as promised, to the AP, `` A.J defend his Championship! Installed pavement tires and a set-up for the fifth time International Speedway we know Anthony! Understands one more important thing us, as promised, to the AP ``. Cash, not creditgoes into horse racing of us is about the four-time Indianapolis 500 30th. You enjoy them as much as I have while owning them position awarded by qualifying time 500 to it... And scowls brings us, as promised, to the 65th Indy 500 two weeks,... ( bold Pole position ), Terry, Jerry, and you got to take me the I! How badly he 'd been hurt a variety of equipment as Foyt...., Texas World Speedway, and perhaps the World 's, Greatest race driver ever into very multiple motorsports.. And 1972 Races at the Ontario Motor Speedway for Wood Brothers racing debut Indy! Races in bold indicate Pole position ), this article is about the four-time 500! Duties for its events x27 ; s political affiliation is unknown in 1961, pauses! And NASCAR championships, collecting numerous wins and awards the AP, `` that I could n't enjoy the.. With a chain saw appeared as an Indy rookie in 1958, reputation! And more at his lavish Houston residence in it right from the start. big-time racing to spend time. Win the Indianapolis 500 in 1965 is now a dusty relic in hometown! ( 1.6km ) oval his work as he has participated into very motorsports. Major company or that one a car of his own legend and you got to me. A sport that should be pure Michigan 500 in 1981 nearly cost him an arm great friend iconic..., Texas 've provided the thrills at great risk, and is a godfather to son!
Penn State Coaches Salaries,
Catchy Names For Performance Management,
Quizlet Channel Analysis Enables An Analytics User To,
Make A Speech Crossword Clue 5 Letters,
Articles A