Happy Birthday, A.J. Foyt — Quote Sheet
Larry Foyt (Son of A.J. Foyt): “Dad always tells me that no one expected him to live a day over 21, so what a blessing to see him reach 80. He certainly has made it an exciting 80 years in many ways. To think that after all these years, it never fails that a fan or fellow competitor will come to me and share a story of how he has touched their life in a way they will never forget. His accomplishments on and off the track have been a source of pride ever since I was a little kid. The hardest part about dad’s birthday is what do you get the man who has everything? Well I know what he wants the most, and that’s race wins. Hopefully we can get him a few this year.”
Takuma Sato (Driver, AJ Foyt Racing): “A.J. is an unbelievable person. I had heard of him when I was a boy, but until I got to know him I had no idea of all of the things that he has done in his life. I have worked my whole career to win at the highest levels of motorsport and I achieved one very significant win in IndyCar which I am very proud of. Then I look at what A.J. has done… 67 wins in Indy car! I respect him so much both from a racing driver’s point of view and as a man. There is always a good laugh and big smiles where he is. I enjoy talking to him and listening to his stories or his yelling. But thank you A.J. He has given me a fantastic opportunity to be in a competitive IndyCar. I know he has had 80 very fast years. I hope I can deliver one big birthday present for him this year. I deeply appreciate all of his support and friendship over the past two seasons. I would not trade it for anything. Happy Birthday A.J.!”
Will Power (Driver, Team Penske, 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion): “He’s an absolute legend in the sport who won in many different cars around the world in a dangerous era of racing. He’s had quite a career. He’s an iconic team owner who won’t settle for anything but victory. It’s a funny combination A.J. Foyt and Takuma Sato. You think it wouldn’t be a good mix, but then you look at Sato on the track and I think A.J. really appreciates a guy who puts absolutely everything into winning a race. That’s Sato all summed up; that’s A.J. all summed up.”
Dario Franchitti (Four-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner): “Anybody who has ever watched A.J. race knows that he’s tough and, I hope, indestructible. He’s kind of like Parnelli (Jones) in that I would have hated to race against them. He would have been so tough. I remember when I had the accident in Houston, I got this message from A.J. basically saying, ‘Hope you’re OK. While you’re (recovering) in Houston, if you need anything just call me.’ He’s a hero of mine. At Indy last year, I went to his garage for him to sign a poster of mine. That’s going to go in the memorabilia room. The word is overused, but A.J. is a legend.”
Greg Abbott (Texas Governor-Elect): “I’m so proud of you, so proud that you’re a Texan and proud of what you’ve done. You’re a hero for us here in Texas and we’re thankful that we have you.”
Art St. Cyr (President, Honda Performance Development): “A.J. Foyt is a living legend in American racing, and a treasured member of the Honda Racing family. His remarkable life has been filled with adventure — both on-track and off — and his racing accomplishments have been unmatched in this or any other era. We salute ‘Super Tex’ as he marks his 80th birthday, and look forward to celebrating many more victories with him in the years to come.”
Dave Allen (President, Auto Club Speedway): “A.J. has won a lot of races in California and all over the world. He’s a national treasure and a hell of a race car driver! Happy Birthday Champ!”
Keith Rozolis (President and CEO, ABC Supply Co. Inc.): “A.J. Foyt is a true racing legend, and ABC Supply is proud to be celebrating our tenth anniversary as AJ Foyt Racing’s sponsor. We wish A.J. a happy birthday and a successful year, both on and off the track.”
Robin Miller (RACER and NBCSN): “Long before I got to meet, know, write about, argue and laugh with him, I got to watch A.J. work his magic in a race car. It was August of 1965 at Milwaukee and with his rear-engine Coyote out of commission, Foyt rolled his dirt car off the trailer, bolted on some pavement tires and beat Dan Gurney and his Lotus to win the pole position. To this day it’s still one of the loudest ovations I’ve ever heard at a race track and Foyt gave them plenty to shout about in the race as he led and muscled his dirt car around to finish second behind Gordon Johncock’s rear-engine car. People that saw A.J. at the end of his career have no clue how talented he was, but on that day he was truly Super Tex.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay (Driver, Andretti Autosport): “A.J. is one of the guys I idolized growing up because he could drive the wheels off of anything. He’s tough as nails; look at what he’s been through. He also has a heart of gold. He ended up flying my mom home (to Florida) when she was dying of cancer so I have a special place in my heart for A.J. Foyt.”
Michael Andretti (Owner, Andretti Autosport): “He’s a special guy. He’s always been my dad’s nemesis, but I was lucky enough to race against A.J. for a few years and I have a lot of respect for him for what he’s accomplished on and off the racetrack.”
Steve Fusek (Manager, Takuma Sato): “I had the privilege of growing up watching A.J. dominate the Milwaukee Mile. Every year when the Rex Mays Classic would come along in June, not a year passed that I did not hear the stories about the dirt car on pole. The inside stories of the legendary races are unbelievable. Over the past two seasons I have gotten to know A.J. as a person. That has been the real privilege. Of course, he was a great race driver. He is an even better person. I am lucky to call him my friend.”
Sam Schmidt (Owner, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports): “A.J. is such an icon, a larger-than-life guy who is an idol of every American race driver. He is the original racing bad ass, but he also has done so much for so many people in our sport. The numbers surrounding Super Tex’s career are staggering, but they don’t define him nearly as well as his unique personality and drive to be the best in everything to this very day. They say that age is just a number: That’s the truth with A.J. I look forward to seeing him at the track for years to come and am eager to lock horns with his team, with him on the pit box, for many more seasons. Happy 80th, A.J.!”
Lisa Boggs (Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports): “On behalf of everyone at Firestone Racing, our hats off to you, A.J., on your 80th birthday. Your contributions and passion for our sport are as legendary today as when you first got behind the wheel. It’s been our honor to work with you as both a driver and team owner.”
Bobby Rahal (Owner, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing): “My favorite recollection of A.J. was my first year at Indy when he came by me on the straightaway shaking his fist at me. A.J. is an icon of the sport. If you look at everything he achieved over the years, it’s pretty impressive. The guy is part of American folklore and history, so you have got to have a lot of admiration for everything he did and how he did it. They sure don’t make them like him anymore. It’s great to see him hit the 80-year mark and I’m sure he’ll be around many more.”
Graham Rahal (Driver, RLL Racing): “A.J. Foyt is one of a kind. I know he has had some health struggles the past few years, but to see his continued fight and his passion for racing to this day is impressive. To look at his success, not only in Indy car, but sports car racing and everything he’s even driven makes him the standard for any racing driver around the world. There is nobody that really compares to A.J. Foyt and it’s great to see him turning 80. I know he says that he will be at the Indy 500 and I’m looking forward to seeing him there. Seeing his team expand and everything Larry (Foyt) is doing is exciting for our sport too. The Andretti’s may argue with me on this but the Foyt name is one of, if not the greatest name in racing.”
Kim Green and Kevin Savoree (Owners of Green Savoree Racing Promotions): “We’ve had the honor of working alongside and competing against A.J. for many years. He’s a true motorsports icon with a fiercely competitive, but collegial, spirit that has only served to help our sport over the years. He’s shown all of us how to strive for excellence and top performance while respecting and uplifting everyone around him. Happy Birthday A.J.! Wishing you much health, happiness, prosperity and more wins. We look forward to seeing you at St. Pete very soon… and we’ll buy you a steak dinner to celebrate.”
Jerry Zimmerman (Historian, Wisconsin State Fair): “Happy 80th birthday A.J.! Thank you for sharing your exciting years of racing with all of us, especially at the Milwaukee Mile. It was always a joy to watch you from tossing wrenches to slowly strolling down the pit lane visiting with and greeting friends and fellow drivers. The best memory of all was seeing you arrive at the Milwaukee Mile without your IndyCar due to a Springfield wreck, and with your dirt track car in tow. You qualified and drove the race of your and my life. That, to me and many others, was the best auto race driving show of the century. Thanks for the memories A.J., Happy 80th Birthday!”
Sources: Mike Kitchel, INDYCAR PR