A. J. Foyt: Survivor, Champion, Legend- Book Review

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It’s not easy being A. J. Foyt, nor is keeping up with him. Art Graner presents a comprehensive portrait of arguably the greatest racing driver ever in a biography released earlier this fall. A. J. Foyt: Survivor, Champion, Legend, Volume1 covers the mercurial Texan from his birth in 1935 through the 1977 season. The second volume, due out in 2026, will continue his story.

The book is arranged chronologically by years, which makes it easy to follow and to return to a chapter for reference. Many of his races are mentioned, some in detail, but many just a brief synopsis of Foyt’s performance and the race winner.

The length of the book I think is reasonable, considering the amount of time it covers. Below are some highlights, followed by some of my thoughts.

Foyt has a desire to race virtually since he was born. At age five he challenges the best midget driver at Houston’s Buff Stadium, Don Cossey, to a match race. Details of the race are sketchy, but it sounds like it was a fun couple of laps. Foyt has wanted to do nothing but race his entire life. He drops out of high school to work at his father’s garage.

Several times Foyt says that he loves racing and plans to race until he decides to quit. It is a decision that never comes in this volume, even after his triumphant fourth win in the Indianapolis 500.

Foyt spends several seasons racing as often as he can in any type of car in any part of the country. He and wife Lucy, whom he married while she was still in high school, eventually decide that A. J. will race, and Lucy will stay home with their infant son.

Foyt enters Indycar racing in 1957 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. He asks Rodger Ward for advice on which team to drive for. Ward suggested Chapman Root. Foyt thinks Ward is trying to steer him to an inferior car and goes to another choice. Foyt gloats when he makes the race and the Root car doesn’t. but the rest of the season Foyt struggles and th Root team does well. A rivalry between Ward and Foyt begins and last several years as the battle for championships.

Foyt’s first Indianapolis 500 in 1958 comes when Jimmy Bryan leaves the Dean Van Lines team and Foyt gets the ride. The relationship lasted a couple years. Foyt becomes frustrated and goes to another team midseason so he can win races but eventually returns to the Dean team when the other ride does not pan out. A pattern of ride hopping to find the car that can win begins.

His first seven years in Indycar are extremely successful, with Indianapolis 500 wins and four national championships. He is fortunate not be involved in any of the horrific crashes in those years. That situation changes in 1965 during a stock car race at Riverside, when he loses his brakes going into one of the fastest curves on the circuit. The rolls down an embankment. The first people to reach his car believe he is dead. His recovery takes several months,

Foyt also races stock cars, both USAC stocks and NASCAR. I was surprised by how much stock car racing he does. Foyt wins the Daytona 500 in 1972 after nearly winning the year before.

In addition, to his racing, Foyt takes on business ventures, including a hOuston Chevrolet dealership. He develops relationships with Goodyear and Ford, and eventually becomes the sole builder and supplier of Ford engines.

Thoughts

There is a lot of detail in this biography, but if you are as huge an A. J. Foyt fan as I am, it is not a bothersome amount.

My favorite chapter is 1967, when Foyt follows his third Indianapolis 500 win with a dramatic victory in the 24 hours of Le Mans with Dan Gurney. May be because I had been to le Mans this summer, but reading details of the 1967 race, which I did not know a lot about, and learning how different then track was sixty years ago I found fascinating.

Several things surprised me about the story-

His heavy involvement in stock car racing . He was virtually running two full time series in one season.

I was not aware that USAC held Indycar/stock car doubleheaders on a regular basis through the 70s.

I found the biography refreshing in that it presented Foyt warts and all. Many biographies tend to focus on the positive, but Garner presents all sides of Foyt.

A. J. Foyt: Survivor, Champion, Legend, Volume1 is available through Octane Press for $29.99.

Wickens Moves to IMSA

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Robert Wickens takes another step forward in his return to racing. Wickens, the 2023 champion in the Michelin Pilot Series, will drive select races in the IMSA Weather Tech Championship.

Driving a specially outfitted Corvette in the GTD class for DXDT Racing, Wickens will drive in the sprint races- Long Beach, Laguna Seca, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Road America, and Virginia International Raceway. The hand controls, designed by Bosch, can be switched on or off, giving his teammate the option of using them as well.

Wickens has raced for Bryan Herta Autosport driving a Hyundai in the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series the past few years.

His announcement on X (Twitter) is below:

https://x.com/robertwickens/status/1861145208546558394?t=719frW4GNjuRIGm0TqE-4Q&s=09

F1 Accepts Cadillac; On the Grid in 2026

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It’s been a long time coming, but GM/Cadillac will have a spot on the F1 grid starting in 2026. The team is headed by TWG Global, the parent company of Andretti Global, led by Dan Towriss. No drivers have been named.

Mario Andretti will be a director on the board. The 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and former F1 champion said, “My first love was Formula 1 and now 70 years later the F1 paddock is still my happy place. To still be involved at this stage of my life I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

It will be nice to see another American team on the grid, but I’m not happy with the disrespect the FIUA and Formula 1 showed toward Michael Andretti. Apparently, his stepping down from an ownership role with Andretti Global sped negotiations.

Having an American team on the grid makes sense for the series which has three races in the United States and is seeking a fourth event.

Pro Football Hall of Famer, FOX NFL Analyst Michael Strahan To Drive Pace Carat 109th Indianapolis 500

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From IMS:

  INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024) – Michael Strahan, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner, longtime “FOX NFL Sunday” analyst and “Good Morning America” co-host, has been named honorary Pace Car driver for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, live on FOX. The announcement was made during today’s “FOX NFL Sunday.”
Strahan, who was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame alongside the entire “FOX NFL Sunday” cast, will drive the 1,064-horsepower 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe – capable of 233 mph, the highest top speed of any car ever made in America by an auto manufacturer – and lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Exact Pace Car details, including the livery, will be announced at a later date.
“Michael is an impressive addition to the lineup of all-star athletes and celebrities to serve as honorary Pace Car driver for the Indianapolis 500,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.
“From the gridiron to the broadcast studio, Michael is no stranger to leading a fast-paced field. As we kick off a new era of INDYCAR and the Indy 500 on FOX, Michael will have one of the best seats in the house for the start of the world’s greatest race.”
Previous recent Pace Car drivers include Morgan Freeman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Griffey Jr., Tyrese Haliburton and many others.
FOX Sports is the new exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, with all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races set to broadcast on network television via FOX in 2025. This includes the world-famous Indianapolis 500, annually the largest single-day spectator sporting event on the globe.
Coverage of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be extensive for fans across the country, with a five-hour Race Day window on FOX.
The Pace Car driver announcement continues FOX’s promotional kickoff for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and the Indianapolis 500.
The announcement of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Grand Prix of Arlington, coming in March 2026, was featured during FOX’s “America’s Game of the Week.”
In addition, FOX College Football analyst and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram arrived for FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” in Bloomington, Indiana, in an INDYCAR SERIES car, continuing to deliver the message that INDYCAR’s home in 2025 will be FOX.
Visit ims.com to submit a ticket application for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 and for more information on the complete Month of May schedule at IMS. 
 

IMS Museum Begins to Take Shape

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In a Behind the Bricks episode released today, IMS President Doug Boles takes us inside the renovations of the museum reconstruction. I was excited to see the display areas start to have a tangible form. It looks like fans will have a bit of an immersive experience in parts of the new museum.

I’m still not sure I am going to like the area with the winning cars. Many of them appear to be in display windows where fans cannot walk all the way around them, while just a few will in full view on platforms. I hope they plan to rotate these cars in and out the wall windows.

I am glad to have a better idea of what the place will look like. To watch the video, right click and open it in a new tab or window.

JHR Signs Robb for 2025

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Juncos Hollinger Racing has hired Sting Ray Robb as one of their drivers for the 2025 IndyCar season. Robb has completed two seasons in IndyCar. He began in 2023 driving for Dale Coyne and in 2024 Robb drove for A. J. Foyt Racing.

Robb had a best finish of 10th at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2024, and he led 23 laps in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2024.

Robb won the 2020 Indy Pro Championship driving for Juncos.

Robb’s signing leaves open one seat at JHR, one seat at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and two seats at Dale Coyne Racing.

Several prospective drivers tested at Thermal Club earlier this week, including Logan Sargeant and Hunter McElrea.

Should IndyCar Buy More Events?

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Fans felt relief last week when Penske Entertainment purchased the Acura Grand Prix of long Beach, ensuring that the most popular event on the schedule outside of the Indianapolis 500 will remain an IndyCar event.

I have been concerned for a couple of years now as both F1 and NASCAR made bids to put one of their races on the streets of Long Beach. The event is only allowed one rave event per year by agreement with the city. Now we know that IndyCar will have exclusive rights to the spring race. The agreement with the city runs through 2028.

As with any acquisition in racing, there are caveats. Chief among them is Roger Penske’s age. I am aware of a succession plan, with Greg Penske assuming leadership. I have met Greg, and I was impressed by him, nut what if he decides the event no longer makes business sense for Penske Entertainment?

The IndyCar series now owns Long Beach and the Grand Prix of Detroit. Penske also helps promote Iowa, Nashville, and lent a hand with Milwaukee in 2024. My question is, should the series buy more street races? Is that really the function of the racing series? I don’t think it is.

NASCAR has a separate company that owns and acquires tracks, but IndyCar is not in a position to do that. Purchasing street events is more economical, as there are no costs for track maintenance and much smaller staffing requirements.

A racing series should focus on setting rules for equipment, racing, and scheduling. Buying property should not be on their plate. I realize that the Long Beach acquisition was a necessary move, and I hope this where the track/event buying stops.

Penske Entertainment Acquires Grand Prix Association of Long Beach

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  Ambitious INDYCAR Growth Agenda Rolls ForwardI
 
NDIANAPOLIS/LONG BEACH, Calif. (Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024) – Penske Entertainment announced today the newest member of its growing event portfolio, confirming the acquisition of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC, from longtime owner Gerald R. Forsythe. The association administers the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the longest-running major street circuit race in North America. The purchase is expected to provide significant investment for the marquee NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, to further enhance this can’t-miss celebration of speed and Southern California motorsport culture for years to come.This upcoming year marks the 50th edition of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, with special programming planned to mark the occasion.
The race will return to network television, with FOX set to broadcast the event Sunday, April 13.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the new stewards of this cherished and iconic event,” said Roger Penske. “This is the most historic and prestigious street circuit race in North America, and we’re excited to work with Jim Michaelian and his great team in Long Beach to ensure continued success and growth over the long term. This race and its loyal fans matter so much to everyone across the INDYCAR community, and we’re looking forward to a very special 50th anniversary celebration this April, as well.”
“As we prepare to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone, the 50th anniversary of this amazing event, it’s fitting that we have such exciting and important news to share about its future,” said Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian. “Roger and the team at Penske Entertainment understand the special history and unique qualities that give us such a strong foundation and will be ideal partners as we continue to deliver an exceptional race weekend for our fans moving forward. I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution that the previous owners, Jerry Forsythe and the late Kevin Kalkhoven, made to the success of our event over the past 19 years.”As an acclaimed and highly attended annual event located in the nation’s entertainment capital, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a premier race weekend for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Working alongside the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach team, Penske Entertainment plans to invest in bolstering and enhancing the experience for race fans, sponsors and hospitality customers.“
This is a major race weekend, not just on our calendar but across the motorsport landscape,” Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles said. “We’re committed to preserving the core attributes that make it best in class while also working on some exciting and bold initiatives to make its future even bigger and brighter.”
The three-day weekend regularly attracts crowds of over 190,000 people to its 1.968-mile racecourse surrounding the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. The 2024 edition featured a supercharged atmosphere, which included the largest attendance in the modern INDYCAR era. The event brings global attention and positive economic impact to its home city, while also maintaining a charitable organization – the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach – which has donated more than $4.2 million to those in need within the Long Beach community.
“The Grand Prix is an incredibly vital and vibrant asset for our community and an annual event that drives commerce, attracts tourism and elevates cultural connectivity across our city,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “Penske Entertainment will be a committed and energetic partner for the future that seeks to preserve and enhance this event’s rich history and strong legacy. We’re looking forward to a great working relationship that benefits everyone who calls Long Beach home.”
As part of today’s announcement, Penske Entertainment and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach released a special video, narrated by former Indy 500 Honorary Starter and acclaimed actor Milo Ventimiglia. You can watch here.
Today’s news marks the continuation of an ambitious and productive period for Penske Entertainment, which owns and manages INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. In September, the organization announced the establishment of the first charter system in INDYCAR’s history, providing NTT INDYCAR SERIES owners meaningful and enhanced value across their entries.
In October, Penske Entertainment unveiled the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington, powered through a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, featuring an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses across the United States and Canada. Beginning in 2025, FOX Sports will be the exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, providing a network broadcast via FOX of all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in the U.S. to broadcast every race on network television. 

Who Gets the Final Five Spots? 2026 Scheduling

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A veteran may be out, and a relative newcomer might be in as it appears that one of the five open seats for the 2025 IndyCar season is about to be taken.

In a RACER article by Marshall Pruett yesterday, Romain Grosjean said he has tried, but it does not appear that he will come up with enough budget to retain his ride at Juncos Hollinger Racing. Grosjean believes 2024 was his best season in Indycar, sounded frustrated with the system and the expense s of running a team.

Earlier today, Tony Donohue reported that Sting Ray Robb will be confirmed tomorrow for one of the seats at JHR. Robb brings a large budget and may be able to fund both cars. If that is the case, who gets the second seat?

I have a feeling that at this point Grosjean wouldn’t mind a par time ride on just the road and street courses. Could Conor Daly run the ovals?

Assuming the Robb to Juncos Hollinger announcement occurs on Thursday, here is whatbis left:

JHR- 1 seat

Rahal-1 seat

Coyne- 2 seats

There are many drivers available. Rinus VeeKay and Linus Lundqvist are the top names without a ride. I think VeeKay will end up in one of the Coyne seats. It all wil come down to who can pay and what the team owners are willing to pay to get who they want. It will be a very interesting time the next two months.

2026- A Schedule Shake Up?

We already have a new race in 2026 n Texas, and talk is heating up about a race in Mexico as well. Texas will likely be a spring race, and Mexico will probably want some distance from the fall F1 race for its IndyCar event. Another new race also might be coming, but perhaps not until 2027.

If the series is adamant about a 17 race season, what drops off the current season? If it were up to me, The Thermal Club would be the first to go. Obviously, Iowa would become a single race, and I am fine with no double headers.

I could see a much more dynamic schedule in 2026. I’m thinking the FOX deal may actually inhibit the schedule from achieving a really exciting program. IndyCar really needs a 20 race calendar. A schedule of that length will allow IndyCar to enter the underserved areas of the country like the east and northeast.

Notes

Since many folks are leaving what has been the most common social media site, which i wil still post on for a while. I am now also publishing on Threads and BlueSky. Look for the pit window on Threads and @racenut on Blue Sky.