Chris Economaki, Renowned Motorsports Journalist, Dies at Age 91

Friday, September 28, 2012--Chris Economaki, Dean of Motorsports Journalism, died early this morning at age 91. Economaki was known for his distinctive voice and incisive analysis as both a columnist for National Speed Sport News (a paper he worked for as a teenager and eventually bought) and as a broadcaster working for ABC, CBS, ESPN and TBS. He watched and chronicled the careers of most of our racing heroes including that of A.J. Foyt whose comments are below.

“Chris Economaki meant a whole lot to my career. He saw me when I first started and he said I’d be the next one coming up who’d be a good race driver.  He wrote, You will read about this boy.  I don’t remember if it was Ted Horn or who, but he compared me a couple times to these old greats which I felt very honored. I think he respected me and I respected him. He was a good friend. I really enjoyed his stories and it’s a shame to see good writers like him pass on.

To be honest, Chris was writing when racing was at its very best. I’m talking about midgets, sprints, dirt cars and Indy cars. He saw the sport grow to where it is today and how it grew, including NASCAR.  And he contributed to that growth. I’d say when he was in his heyday of writing that more people would read his column than any column that’s been written today by far—I know I did. And I’m not the only person who says that. He really knew what he was writing about and he understood the sport in every field of it because he came through all the different types of racing. Today’s writers haven’t done that and they don’t understand racing like Chris did.

Sometimes you didn’t agree with all his articles, but one thing about it, you might not agree today when he wrote it but in the next two or three weeks what he said happened, so you have to give him credit.”

Congratulations!!

We at AJ Foyt Racing would like to extend a hearty congratulations to Michelle and Rick Gleaslen on the birth of their twin daughters who were born Tuesday night at 9 p.m. Claire Marie arrived first at 8:59 p.m. weighing 4 lbs. 9 oz. and measuring 18 inches. She was quickly followed by Faith Mkenna who was born at 9:00 a.m. Faith measured  4 lbs. 11 oz.and measured 18 in. Both babies are doing well. Michelle is the race team's liaison for ABC Supply.

Conway Steps Down and Cunningham Steps Up for IndyCar Season Finale

FONTANA, Calif. September 13, 2012—AJ Foyt Racing announced today that Wade Cunningham will replace Mike Conway in the No. 14 ABC Supply Honda for the MAVTV 500 IndyCar race this weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

The decision to hire Cunningham was reached after Conway asked to sit out this weekend’s event.

“I’m truly sorry for putting the team and our sponsors in a difficult position, but this is the hardest decision I have ever made in my racing career,” said Conway. “I’ve come to realize I’m not comfortable on the ovals and no longer wish to compete on them. I want to stress that I am not finished racing and to this end, I would love to continue with Foyt Racing, but that’s something we need to discuss in the future.”

After talking with Conway, Team Director Larry Foyt contacted Cunningham, who lives in Indianapolis, and asked him to drive this weekend. Cunningham had driven for the team in the No. 41 ECAT/ABC Supply Honda in the Indianapolis 500 this year. He arrives today to be fitted in the car.

“Fortunately, Wade was available to drive for us, and we’re looking forward to working with him again,” said Foyt, adding, “Mike’s been a great asset to our team, and I’m disappointed that we can’t finish out the season together. However, it took a lot of courage for Mike to come forward and we respect him highly for that and we certainly want to honor his decision.”

Cunningham will be making his fifth start in the IZOD IndyCar Series, having competed in three races in 2011 in addition to racing at Indy this year. However, it won’t be his first visit to the Southern California superspeedway. In 2005, he competed at the track in the Firestone Indy Lights Series where he started fifth and won the race, his first of eight victories in that series.

Practice gets underway Friday morning with qualifying for the 500-miler set for Friday afternoon. Final practice will take place Friday evening. The IndyCar Series season finale will be broadcast live Saturday night on the NBC Sports Network with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

A. J. FOYT RACING TO ENTER AFRICAN-AMERICAN DRIVER CHASE AUSTIN IN THE 2013 INDIANAPOLIS 500

Starting Grid, Inc. and American Honda’s Motorsports Diversity Initiative Continues with Historic Effort

LEXINGTON, Ohio (August 4, 2012) - A. J. Foyt, in conjunction with Starting Grid, Inc. principal Chris Miles, announced today that 22-year-old Chase Austin will campaign an AJ Foyt Racing entry in the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, 2013, through a partnership with American Honda Motor Company Inc.

Austin made history last year when he became the first African-American driver to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights series with Willy T. Ribbs Racing. In qualifying for next year’s race, Austin stands to become only the third African-American driver to ever compete in the 97-year history of the Indianapolis 500.

“My son Larry [Foyt] and I have watched Chase drive and we want to give him a chance,” said A.J. Foyt, the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. “What I like about him is that he has driven all types of race cars with different horsepower in his career, and I believe that’s important when evaluating talent. He’s done a real good job in the Lights series, and I believe he can qualify for the Indy 500 with Honda on board.”

“Chris approached me about fielding a car for Chase and I talked it over with Dad and we agreed that it could turn into something pretty cool,” said Larry Foyt, Team Director of AJ Foyt Racing. “Chris has put together a marketing program which will reach a new generation of fans, and I think this opportunity will not only be good for Chase and our team, but also for INDYCAR.”

This historic attempt for Austin to compete in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 is the continuation of a three-year motorsports diversity initiative between Starting Grid, Inc. and American Honda. Miles, a New Albany, Indiana native, who founded Starting Grid, Inc. 18 years ago to facilitate equal opportunities for minority participation within all facets of the motorsports industry - looks forward to the association with AJ Foyt Racing.