Last updated: Sep 05, 2023
A.J. Foyt Bio And Facts
A.J. Foyt
A.J. Foyt is one of the greatest figures in the history of motorsports. His status is aligned with not only being a versatile driver but one of the most accomplished racers. Some of his biggest titles include victories in the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the International Race of Champions (IROC) series championship.
His most celebrated wins came in the Indianapolis 500, one of the toughest and most prestigious races in all of motorsports. Hoyt achieved victory four times, in 1961, 1964, 1967, and 1977. The extent to which he could consistently win in a short period of time remarks on his greatness as a racer.
Foyt saw his destiny as a driver at a young age, having a father who raced midget cars as a hobby. He continued on his family’s legacy by starting his racing career driving midget cars at age 18, showcasing amazing talents. Foyt ended his career as a stock car driver.
- Birthdate: January 16, 1935 (16-01-1935)
- Education: Lamar High School, Santino High School
- Net Worth: $35 million
- Occupation: Retired Auto Racing Driver
- Height: 5’6” (1.70 m)
- Weight: 158 lbs (72 kg)
- Years Active: 36 years (1957-1993)
- Career IndyCar Wins: 67 wins
- Career IndyCar Podiums: 117 podiums
- Career IndyCar Starts: 369 starts
- Career IndyCar Poles: 53 poles
- Teams: Dean Van Lines Special, Anstead-Thompson Racing, Gilmore Racing, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Kuzma, Kurtis, Kraft
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Net Worth
A.J. Foyt is one of the richest racers in the entire country. His net worth is estimated to be at $35 million. The source of this income has come through competing in races, winning multiple championships, and appearing in multiple commercials for companies who would showcase their advertisements during races. This method of appealing to racing fans let Foyt become a prominent feature in sports media. He became a spokesperson for Snickers, Firestone, Ford, JCPenney, and Craftsman Tools.
In addition to his television and video appearances, Foyt made prominent appearances in newspapers. One of the most famous examples of these career choices came in a Champion Plugs advertisement, where the line under his picture stated “A.J. Foyt, like 13 of the last 15 Indianapolis winners, chose Champion spark plugs because Champions deliver maximum performance. Why settle for less in your car?”.
Career
Voted as “Driver of the Century”, A.J. Foyt’s career is highlighted with championship glory and milestones that no one will likely ever match themselves with. His driving career includes experience with midget cars, sprint cars, championship cars, sports cars, and stock cars. Foyt was the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. He won these tough and coveted races in 1961, 1964, 1967, and 1977.
Even in losses, Foyt still made headlines. He was the only driver to have started in 35 consecutive Indianapolis 500 races. Foyt proved with his career a consistent drive to compete and win. Additionally, he showed fans that losses do not deter him from being a legend in motorsports. Foyt was the inaugural inductee of the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1989. The selection group recognized not only his records while racing but his sportsmanship and their appreciation for his status.
Titles and Awards
- Seven-time USAC Champ Car Series Champion
- Two-time IROC Series Champion (1975-1976, 1976-1977)
- 1960 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion
- 1972 USAC Silver Crown Series Champion
- Three-time USAC Stock Car Series Champion (1968, 1978, 1979)
- Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977)
- 1964 Brickyard 400 winner
- 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans winner
- 1972 Daytona 500 winner
- 1972 Miller High Life 500 winner
- 1985 24 Hours of Daytona winner
- 1990 US National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee
- 1989 Motorsports Hall of Fame America inductee
- 1998 National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee
- 1999 AP Driver of the Century
- 2023 NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers selection
In every series that A.J. Foyt raced in, he took the level of competition and his fame to a new level. The list of races that Foyt achieved victory in spans through decades. His most notable championships came in the 1960 USAC Sprint Car Series, the 1972 USAC Silver Crown Series, and the USAC Stock Car division, which Hoyt won in 1968, 1978, and 1979. Hoyt is the only driver to win four Indy 500s, a Daytona 500, the 24 hours of Daytona, the 24 hours of Le Mans, and the 24 hours of Sebring.
His first NASCAR Cup Series win came in the 1964 Brickyard 400. His last NASCAR Cup Series win came in the 1972 Miller High Life 500. With Hoyt’s induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame America and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, his legacy was cemented as an all-time great. He additionally earned a spot in the 2023 list for NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.
Personal Life
Anthony Joseph Foyt was born in Houston, Texas. His mother was a homemaker. His father, who inspired and paved the way for the legendary racer’s career goals, raced midget race cars and was an auto mechanic. Foyt’s upbringing was highlighted with a passion for vehicles and competition. Though A.J. Foyt started his professional path in his teens, his first experience with cars came at age three. The young child drove gas-powered miniature racers.
At 11 years old, Foyt experienced the merits of racing against other kids for the first time and saw his natural talents come to fruition. He dropped out of school multiple times and pursued mechanic work with his father. Foyt learned lessons of not passing on opportunities to show off talents and to find passions at an early age through his Texas adolescence. Throughout Foyt’s timeline of professional success, he additionally took time to raise a family and take care of his ranch.
Fun Facts
- In 1995, Foyt married Lucy Zarr, a fellow Texas native. The two remained together for more than 68 years until her death in April 2023.
- Foyt and his family are a part of the ownership group for the Indianapolis Colts. A.J. Foyt IV is married to the daughter of the Colts owner Jim Irsay
- In Foyt’s early practice of racing and driving cars, he did considerable damage to his family home. He caused his car’s engine to set on fire.
FAQ
Who is A.J. Foyt?
A.J. Foyt is one of the most legendary racers in all of motorsports. Foyt started racing cars at age 18 and immediately displayed a talent that no one else had. Foyt’s career accomplishments include four Indy 500 wins, a Daytona 500 win, and multiple team championships, among other accolades. Foyt notably is one of only 12 racers to have completed the Triple Crown of endurance racing.
Who did A.J. Foyt race for?
Foyt’s USAC and CART championship series teams include Dean Van Lines Special, Anstead-Thompson Racing, Gilmore Racing, and A.J. Foyt Enterprises. He was active in the sport starting in 1957 and ending in 1993. He raced in Formula 1 from 1958 to 1960 for Kuzma, Kurtis, and Kraft.