AJ Foyt – American Racer

People

Having just popped off the plane from Los Angeles, our minds are full of Americana.

And while we were in the good ole USA hanging out with many different breeds of petrolhead, it was amazing how many times AJ Foyt came up in conversation.

Euro motor racing fans and acolyte may not have heard too much of the name – but the Texan is one of the most successful competitive drivers not only in the US history – but that of the motor racing world in general.

He is, for example, the only racer to ever have bagged the five-card-trick of the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Indy 500 (which he won 4 times), the Daytona 500, the 24 hours of Daytona AND the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has a stack of race wins across the disciplines and including the gruellingly specific Nascar jewel-in-the-crown at Daytona.

Looking at his profile you can see that this all American, true blue Texan must have caught the imagination of the American public – and despite the fact that he never competed in F1.

it doesn’t mean he’s any less of a driver. And I’m embarrassed I didn’t know how successful he had been.

A.J.-Foyt-cover-of-Sports-Illustrated-June-1964

 

 

 

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