A.J. Foyt: Indy 500 Legend and Houston’s Fearless Hero

A.J. Foyt, a name that’s basically racing royalty, has left a mark on motorsports that just won’t fade. He went from tearing around Houston’s streets to becoming a four-time Indianapolis 500 champ.

Foyt’s story is all about grit, skill, and a stubborn love for racing. Let’s wander through his wild life, from his wins to those brushes with death, and his stubborn ties to Houston.

The Early Years: From Houston’s Streets to the Racing World

Born and raised in Houston, Foyt’s path to the racing world started on the rough streets of the Heights. His dad, a mechanic and a weekend racer, pulled him into the scene early on.

Foyt first got behind the wheel in a tiny race car his dad built out of a lawnmower engine. He was only 11, but already pushing limits—he once managed to set his father’s midget car on fire while racing it around the house.

Early Racing Venues

Foyt’s first real races happened at places like Houston’s Playland Park and Meyer Speedway. These tracks churned out some of the region’s toughest drivers, and Foyt wasted no time making his presence known.

By age 20, he’d racked up a string of wins across Texas. That success pushed him into bigger sprint cars and, by 23, he made his Indianapolis 500 debut.

Dominance at the Indianapolis 500

Foyt’s time at the Indianapolis 500? Legendary, honestly. He started an incredible 35 times between 1958 and 1992.

He won the whole thing four times—1961, 1964, 1967, and 1977. Those victories locked in his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Foyt’s Unique Achievements

He didn’t just shine at Indy. Foyt is one of only two drivers—Mario Andretti being the other—to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.

But Foyt went a step further, becoming the only person to win those two and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That 1967 Le Mans win with Dan Gurney stands out. Foyt, with his Texas humor, once called the French race a “little old country road” compared to what he knew back home.

Surviving Near-Death Experiences

Foyt’s career had more than its share of danger. He survived a string of terrifying crashes, always coming back for more.

In 1965, during a NASCAR race in Riverside, California, a track doctor actually declared Foyt dead after a brutal wreck. He’d broken his back, punctured a lung, and bruised his aorta, but somehow, he pulled through and kept racing.

Other Notable Accidents

He faced burns to his face and hands in Phoenix in 1966. Then in 1972, his own burning race car ran over him in DuQuoin, Illinois, breaking his ankle.

The worst came in 1990 at Road America in Wisconsin—injuries to his ankles and feet left him with a permanent limp. Still, Foyt just wouldn’t quit, racing until he retired in 1992.

Life After Racing

Retirement didn’t exactly slow Foyt down. He survived heart surgery in 2011, a nasty staph infection in 2012, and got new hip and knee joints in 2013.

Triple bypass surgery followed in 2014. And in 2018, killer bees attacked him on his land in Waller, Texas—he fought back with 15 gallons of diesel fuel. You just can’t make this stuff up.

Legacy and Impact on Motorsports

Foyt didn’t stop shaping racing after he hung up his helmet. As a team owner, he scored another Indianapolis 500 win and grabbed multiple Indy car titles.

His larger-than-life personality and relentless drive made him a legend, not just to fans but to other drivers too.

Houston’s Hometown Hero

Foyt always stayed tight with Houston. He convinced the United States Auto Club to bring the Astro Grand Prix to the Houston Astrodome, turning it into a temporary dirt oval.

The event drew over 50,000 fans and ran for three more years—pretty wild for a city event.

Foyt’s Humble Roots

Despite all the fame, Foyt never lost touch with where he came from. After his first Indianapolis 500 win in 1961, he went right back to helping at his dad’s garage.

There’s a story from then—a customer told his dad they’d probably never see Foyt again, now that he was a big shot. His dad just pointed under the dash, where Foyt was changing a speedometer cable. Some things never change, and maybe that’s the best part of his story.

Conclusion

A.J. Foyt grew up racing on Houston’s streets. He never really lost touch with those roots, no matter how far he went in motorsports.

He built a legacy defined by grit and a kind of stubborn determination. Foyt’s personality, both on and off the track, made him a legend in racing circles.

He once said he accomplished everything without ever leaving Houston. That city still claims him with pride, and honestly, who could blame them?

Want to dig deeper into Foyt’s wild ride? Check out the full article on the Houston Chronicle.