Racing driver A.J. Foyt in 2015

A.J. Foyt learned racing in his father’s Houston garage

ByMarcus Tolliver

Photo: SarahStierch, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. was born in Houston in 1935. His father, Tony, ran a garage and built midget race cars, and A.J. grew up around engines. He was racing as a child and dropped out of high school to race full-time.

The career

Foyt moved up through midget and sprint cars and reached the Indianapolis 500 in 1958. He won it in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977, becoming the first driver to win four times.

He was known for his versatility. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 with Dan Gurney, the Daytona 500 in 1972, and endurance races at Daytona and Sebring. Few drivers have won at that level in so many types of racing.

He was also known for his temper and toughness, surviving serious crashes and continuing to race into his late 50s.

Team owner

Foyt started his own team, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, which has competed in IndyCar for decades. His driver Kenny Bräck won the Indy 500 in 1999.

Houston

Foyt kept his roots in Texas, with a ranch and business interests near Houston. He has been a regular presence at Houston racing events.

His legacy is honored in the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and he remains one of the most recognizable names in American racing.

More in Spotlight