Larry and A.J. Foyt IV Will Race in “Indy Legends” Charity Pro-Am For First Time
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) today announced that the Foyt name, one of the most famous in auto racing history, will race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again during the Brickyard Invitational, June 16-19. Larry Foyt, son of the great A.J. Foyt, and A.J. Foyt IV, the revered champion’s grandson, will once again be on the gird at the Brickyard for the feature event of the SVRA weekend – the “Indy Legends” Charity Pro-Am.
“I heard last year that young A.J. was asking about our event,” said SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella. “I did not waste a moment reaching out to him. When we found out Larry was interested too, everyone at the SVRA was thrilled. The Foyt name is pure gold in auto racing and we are honored to have them join us.”
The Pro-Am feature the Foyts will race in is a 40-minute competition of American muscle cars on the Speedway’s 2.43-mile Grand Prix road course on Saturday, June 18. The cars are 1963 to 1972 vintage Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs of the “Group 6” SVRA class. This year’s event is attracting new and exciting names, including a new twist, called the “Garage 34” promoter’s option that brings NASCAR stars Bill Elliott and Ray Evernham into the field. The Unser cousins, Al Jr., Robby and Johnny are already entered and numerous other Indianapolis 500 veterans will be announced in the coming weeks. Professionals will be paired with amateur drivers, splitting stints at the wheel at their discretion.
AJ IV is a six-time starter in the Indianapolis 500 from 2003 to 2010. He holds the record as the youngest driver to start the classic at just 19. A versatile driver, he got his start as a nine-year-old in Junior Dragsters, winning two titles. After that experience he raced karts during his teenage years. From there he began racing SCCA formula cars, taking the Southwest Regional Championship in 2001 and finishing third in the national championship. Those accomplishments earned him SCCA rookie-of-the-year. Also in 2001 he finished second in the feature event of the World Karting Association’s Dirt World Championships at Daytona. After getting a taste of USAC Silver Crown racing he stepped up to grandfather A.J. Foyt’s Infiniti Pro Series team in 2002. That series was the equivalent of today’s Indy Lights and Foyt took four impressive wins to close out the season championship. The following year he raced for his grandfather in the Indianapolis 500. During his Indy car career he also raced for Vision Racing, securing that team’s best-ever finish with a third place at Kentucky Speedway in 2007. Foyt also raced in NASCAR Busch (now Xfinity) and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Larry Foyt is currently president of A.J. Foyt Enterprises, which includes his legendary father’s racing operations. The three-time Indianapolis 500 starter is also a founding partner with AJ IV in the relatively new venture, Foyt Family Wines. He began his racing career in karting in 1993 and by 1996 was a Texas state champion. In 1997 he began racing Formula 2000 and won two SCCA races in 1999. He raced stock cars with the American Speed Association in 2000, scoring several top-five finishes. By 2001 he was racing in the NASCAR Busch Series and moved full-time into the top-tier Cup competition in 2003. He also raced with ARCA and NASCAR trucks. By 2006 after his final Indianapolis 500 the Texas Christian University graduate began to take on more management responsibility at A.J. Foyt Enterprises. He exceled there and by 2007 was appointed team manager. The team’s breakthrough victory with driver Takuma Sato at the famous Long Beach Grand Prix in 2013 was a testimony to his management abilities. In 2015 he ascended to the company’s presidency.
While the Pro-Am the Foyts will compete in is the crowning event of the Brickyard Invitational, there is also a festival of other activities. As in previous years the SVRA will present exhibition runs on the storied 2.5-mile oval by a wide variety of cars including several of the crowd-favorite 1950’s Indianapolis 500 “roadsters.” The 2016 weekend not only promises a huge gathering of race cars but also some of the finest collector cars. Motostalgia, with offices in Austin, Texas, Mexico City and Monaco will stage an auction of select automobiles from around the world. The Brickyard Invitational will also expand out onto the world-famous infield IMS golf course with car corrals for organizations and clubs united by special marques and vintages as well as its “Shine and Show” car show. Saturday evening entertainment will include a concert by the legendary rock band, “Three Dog Night,” capped off by a trademark SVRA mega-fireworks show.
The SVRA has 11 groups of racecars spanning 100 years of vintage machines. The array of entries at IMS will include select pre-war machines, classic sports cars, Formula One and Le Mans prototypes as current as 2011. Race fans can enjoy every minute of the action with overnight camping inside IMS. Pro-Am cars and drivers will also participate in a Fan Walk through the starting grid prior to the opening ceremonies allowing spectators to see the cars up close, take photos and chat with the drivers. All entry fees will be donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Foundation and the Hagerty Education Program.
Brickyard Invitational ticket information: Fans can order Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational tickets for all or any one of the four days of the event online through the Speedway or by calling 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Fans can also visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at 4790 West 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information. Children 12 and under are admitted free each day when accompanied by an adult. Tent camping passes in the IMS infield start at $30 and are available all four days.