A.J. Foyt

AJ Foyt Racing released this interview with legendary four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt on Jan. 16 – his 90th birthday – about his colorful life and incomparable career:

When you look back over your career, what makes you most proud?

"I think my mother and daddy seeing me win Indy four times. When I was coming up racing local here in Houston, my dream was to someday go to Indianapolis. I did. My daddy always changed my right rear tire, he was part of my success. Having my mother and daddy seeing me win my fourth before they died made me real proud."

What is it about you that you were able to achieve such incredible success?

"I would say the best thing that made me was that I had such great fans, and I wanted to satisfy them. I think that gave me a lot of motivation in my racing career, my fans. And I still love 'em."

But what was it in you, before you had fans?

"I always drove hard, even at the local tracks, because I liked to win. And when I got to Indy, the fans made want to win even more. I know they loved winning and I loved winning, so we had a good combination together."

What are some of the best advances in racing that you've seen?

"I would say that they made the cars so much safer than what they used to be. They carry a lot less fuel, and that's the biggest thing that racing has gained. I don't say it's any better, but it's a lot safer. I'm always looking for safety too 'cause I had a lot of friends that lost their lives. I was one of the lucky ones 'cause I made it through all that."

How did you survive all that? It was such a deadly era particularly in 1964 when you won 10 of 13 races--still a record.

"I really can't answer that because I lost a lot of friends. That's the reason I didn't run with too many people. I kinda stayed by myself 'cause I didn't want it on my mind."

How did you put it out of your mind In '58 when you lost Pat O'Connor and in '64 when you lost Eddie Sachs (and Dave MacDonald)?

"I just tried to not think about it. I'm here today, but I might be gone tomorrow. I knew that. After I won Indy, everybody couldn't believe I went sprint car racing and midget racing. They'd say after you won Indy, you'd lose your life within a month or two or get hurt real bad. I just didn't pay attention to that. I had a life to live, and I was enjoying it. If I lost my life, that's the way I'd have to go."

What's the toughest recovery you had to come back from?

"It was when I was burnt pretty good at Milwaukee (1966). I got broke up worse than the burns I had on my hands and face, but I think the burns were the worse thing I suffered, really. You get broken bones; you heal them quicker. But the burns take so much time. A burn is one of the worst things you can have. I don't think racing's any better than when I raced, but what is better is that you don't see a lot of guys getting burnt real bad. That's the one beautiful thing about racing is that it's so much safer."

Is there anything you would change over the course of your career?

"No. I raced local, and I had a dream of going to Indy and then be fortunate enough to win it, how many people have dreams that come true? It was my dream when I went up there and bought tickets and sat up in Turn 2. A couple years later, I was lucky enough to get a ride. People saw me run Salem, Indiana, in a sprint car, and I think that's what really helped me get a ride at Indianapolis. They said if I was brave enough to run the high banks, I'd be good at Indy. (laughs) Hell, I didn't know any better, it was just a racetrack to me."

The high speeds never scared you?

"Not really. That never entered my mind. I went to the racetrack and whatever it was, I tried to adjust to it. I went to Daytona (in a stock car), and I was fortunate enough to win that. Then went to Le Mans - Dan Gurney and I - what a super guy he was to pick me and be on (Carroll) Shelby's team and be fortunate enough to win Le Mans. I've had a wonderful life and if I passed on today, nobody could've had a better life than I had."

If you had to pick out the best day of your life, what would it be?

"I think passing my driver's test at Indianapolis (in 1958). I would say that was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I know it was."

What did you do after you passed it?

"There used to be the White Front (restaurant and bar) down from the track on 16th (Street). After I qualified, I went there and (Tony Sr.) Bettenhausen (Tony Sr.) and Bob Veith and (Don) Freeland, all of them were up there cause that's where they all hung out. They said, ‘What are you doing here?’ And I said, "I'm gonna have a Coke." They said, "Here's a Screwdriver, it's like orange juice." I said, "Well, I'll try one." So I had one, then two, then three, and I had to go to the restroom. I stood up and the room kind of spun, and I said, "Damn, I can't see!" Well, the next day they had all the rookies out, and I was one of the quickest ones (he was the fastest rookie qualifier, starting 12th), but I had hugged onto the toilet all night long! I haven't had a Screwdriver since 1958. And I don't plan on having another one. That's one of the highlights, and after I won Indy, someone said, "I bet you and your wife went out and really celebrated." And I said, "Yeah." They had a White Castle hamburger (stand) right there in front of the Speedway, and my wife and I had two White Castle hamburgers, I think they were 11 cents apiece. We really celebrated."

You really wouldn't change anything?

"Nope, I come from nothing and had a wonderful life. Who'd ever think I'd be here now at 90 years old?"

What do you think about being 90 years old?

"I don't think I'm supposed to live this long! I'm living for a reason, but I don't know why!"

How do you occupy your time these days?

"I keep buying land and try to develop it. I love to get on my bulldozers and tractors. I do that almost every other day. People say you're out there by yourself. And I say: "It's peaceful. I don't have to listen to anybody but me."

What advice would you give someone starting out?

"I'd tell them, ‘Don't take no bullshit off nobody.’"