Main Street welcomes AJ Foyt Racing

SPEEDWAY, Ind. Oct. 9, 2014 — The Speedway Redevelopment Commission and AJ Foyt Racing signed agreements for purchase and renovation of the 45,000 square-foot building located at 1180 Main St., Speedway.

The new location will serve as an expansion of AJ Foyt Racing’s team offices in Waller, Texas. The team will begin renovations with a brick facade to the north side of the building and installation of windows on the south side.

As auto racing’s most inspiring champion, A.J. Foyt is the record winner of 67 IndyCar races, and seven national championships. He is also the only driver to win all three major motorsport races: the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds a rich part of my history and future,” said A.J. Foyt. “During the racing season, it makes sense for our team to operate close to the track where my name was made.  I remember what Main Street looked like when I first came to Indy and the Commission has managed to modernize it but retain the area’s history too. We’re happy to be part of Speedway’s redevelopment.”

The Town of Speedway is pleased to welcome a corporation who shares their close identification with racing and innovation. This new addition to Main Street helps bring growth and economic development to Speedway’s already growing community.

“When Speedway began their redevelopment plans in 2005, one of the dreams was to bring racing legends like A.J. Foyt and his team back to Main Street – the racing capital of the world,” said Vince Noblet, Director of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission. “We’re primed to build upon our unique history and motorsports ancestry – both of which are an integral part of the rich fabric that makes Speedway a great place to live and work.”

“A.J. Foyt on Main Street further demonstrates that our community’s economic development is creating a place where a legend of the track would want to locate and this move is another step in our revitalization,” said Gary Raikes, President of the Speedway Town Council.

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About Speedway Redevelopment Commission

The SRC consists of five volunteers appointed by the Speedway Town Council. Using input from the entire community, the commission is charged with developing a plan to revitalize a 700-acre area, including Speedway’s Main Street and the large area to the northwest termed Area 2. More information about the SRC is available at www.speedwayindiana.com.

 

 

Foyt Wine Down Party Kicks of IndyCar Weekend at Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. Aug. 22–The race weekend got off to a festive start as the 5th Annual Foyt Wine Down party was held last evening at Meadowcroft Tasting Room just minutes away from Sonoma Raceway. Friends of Foyt Family Wines along with the AJ Foyt Racing team sponsors and crew members, attended the affair which featured seven different Foyt wines including the No. 61 Pinot Noir, the No. 67 Chardonnay, and the Double Gold winning No. 77 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Guests of ABC Supply and Alfe Heat Treating met winemaker Tom Meadowcroft, racing drivers Takuma Sato and Martin Plowman along with A.J. Foyt.  The guests were also able to sign up to become a member of Club Foyt and receive Foyt wine shipments throughout the year.

Topping off the night, Larry Foyt answered an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and was doused with ice water but not before he mentioned that Foyt Wines would donate $1,000 to ALSA.org. Foyt then nominated the band Chevelle, A.J. Foyt IV, and to everyone’s surprise, his dad A.J. Foyt. Check out Larry Foyt’s ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

The jury’s still out as to whether the family patriarch will accept the challenge or simply donate money and avoid the ice water. Either way, ALSA.org will benefit.

A.J. Foyt on A.J. Watson's Passing

INDIANAPOLIS May 12, 2014--Master mechanic and race car designer and builder extraordinaire A.J. Watson passed away today at age 90. Foyt drove and won with Watson-designed and built  roadsters in the 60s. Eleven of his 67 victories came in either Watson or Watson-Trevis roadsters, including his first two Indy 500s (1961 and 1964). Foyt drove Watson’s sprint car in 1960 winning the USAC Eastern Division Sprint Car championship title that year. Foyt continued to drive Watson’s sprint car off and on through 1968, winning his final race for Watson at Ascot in Gardena, Calif. in 1967.

A.J. Foyt: “I was very good friends with A.J. Watson and his wife Joyce. He picked me up to drive his sprint car years back. We worked right there at his house, took the 220 Offy out and built the Chevrolet. He was a pioneer. He came out against Kurtis and built the Watson roadster and I was lucky enough to win with it.   In his day right here at the Indy 500, there was nobody that was going to beat the three W’s: Watson, Wilke and Ward.

“It’s hard to believe he’s gone. I’m just glad I was able to go see him on his 90th birthday [May 8]. We did talk about old times. He had a picture of me and him with his sprint car on the wall and I teased him, ‘A.J., were we ever that young?’ He said, ‘It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?’”

For Robin Miller's Tribute to Watson, click here: http://racer.com/latest-stories/item/103505-appreciation-a-j-watson-1924-2014.

Takuma Sato’s Indy 500 helmet raises over $30,000 for ‘With you Japan’

TOKYO June 23, 2014—How much is a helmet worth? In the ‘With you Japan’ online charity auction, Takuma Sato’s 2014 Indianapolis 500 special edition helmet garnered $15,675 when the bidding closed June 9. The helmet, worn by Sato in this year’s race, was signed by Sato and his team owner A.J. Foyt.

"I am very glad that I became the successful bidder for the auction of the Indy 500 Special Helmet. I appreciate this helmet is a symbol of Takuma and his team's wishes and challenging spirit. I am proud to own this helmet and will continue to support Takuma who keeps challenging even in difficult situations,” said the longtime supporter of Sato who lives in Japan. He asked to remain anonymous.

Also choosing to remain anonymous is the donor who matched the winning bid which brought the total donation to the charity to a whopping $31,350!

"I would like to thank everyone who participated in the charity auction,” said Sato. “It is great news that this auction raised a huge amount for "With you Japan”.  A big congratulations to the successful bidder, and I really appreciate all donors who put in extra contributions.  Japan is still struggling from the effects of the tsunami so with your help, we will continue to support children in a way to have some fun activities and encourage their dreams.”

The “With you Japan” program was founded by Sato in 2011 after the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastated the island country’s north eastern coast, killing over 15,000 people and leaving over 300,000 people homeless.

All proceeds raised through the program are provided to ‘With You Japan,’ a Charity started by Takuma Sato to provide hope and inspiration to the children of the affected area of Japan.  ‘With You Japan’ hopes to provide inspiration to help thousands of these children as they move forward with their lives. Further information regarding ‘With You Japan’ can be found at withyoujapan.org.

Respect for Speedway: Plowman Preps for ROP

By Dave Lewandowski

INDIANAPOLIS May 2, 2014--Martin Plowman has competed in the Freedom 100 in 2009 and ’10 and driven the Indy Racing Experience two-seater and Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.

So the 26-year-old Indianapolis resident has a healthy understanding of the 2.5-mile racetrack, and he has a healthy respect for it as well, which is why he’s looking forward to the Rookie Orientation Program for the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 5.

“I heard Dario (Franchitti) say that when he jumped in the car for the first time during practice that he surprised himself. Even he forgot how quick it was into Turn 1. It’s not something you take lightly,” said Plowman, who will drive the No. 41 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing.

Full-season Verizon Indy Car Series drivers Jack Hawksworth (Bryan Herta Autosport) and Mikhail Aleshin (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports) will join Plowman and 2013 Indy Lights champion Sage Karam (Dreyer & Reinbold Kingdom Racing) for the three-phase program required of first-time Indianapolis 500 participants. NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, who completed his refresher course on the oval April 29 in an Andretti Autosport car, also will get in more laps.

Real-time Timing & Scoring of the morning and afternoon sessions is available on www.indycar.com. The track is open for spectator viewing from the South Terrace Grandstand and Turn 2 viewing mounds.

The Speedway opens for full-scale practice May 11, with qualifications May 17-18. The race is May 25.

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