The Story of Larry Foyt
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- A few years before NASCAR’s “open wheel invasion” came Larry Foyt, the adopted son of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt. Early in his own racing career, Larry would be steered away from the IRL and into the seat of a stock car. And when A.J. restarted his Cup Series team, it seemed only a matter of time before Larry would drive. That time would arrive much sooner than both driver and team had anticipated, culminating in one of the most frustrating rookie campaigns in the history of the series. This is that story.
VIDEO
• Larry Foyt
MUSIC
“Seasons” - Delicate Steve
“Freedom” - Dan Lebowitz
“Sunset Strut” - Dan Lebowitz
CHAPTERS
0:00 - A.J. Foyt in NASCAR
1:20 - Larry
4:02 - Changing paths
5:28 - ASA and ARCA
8:16 - Busch Series rookie
9:13 - The Steve Park accident
11:30 - The return of A.J. Foyt Racing
22:13 - A forced promotion
25:43 - 2003 was a rough year
41:03 - Into the Nextel era
43:14 - Indy at last
45:58 - Closing
SPECIAL THANKS
Bryan Hallman for your photos
"Captain Ron" for sharing your stories about Larry
Ian M. for the idea of making a video on A.J. Foyt Racing
PHOTOS
A.J. Foyt Racing
Bryan Hallman, BRH Racing Archives (including thumbnail pictures)
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
Jayski’s Silly Season Site
Kevin Kerr
Larry Foyt’s Facebook Page
Lori Munro, war-wagon.com
Motorsport.com
ARTICLES
*Aljentera, Clarissa. “Race driver makes pit stop for charity,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 27, 2003
*Aljentera, Clarissa. “Relieved Foyt sneaks into field,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 29, 2003
*Bailey, Steve. “Foyt’s son looks to make name in Busch series,” The Messenger, June 14, 2001
*Blount, Terry. “Young ace made it despite his dad’s advice,” Edmonton Journal, April 16, 2002
*Brudenell, Mike. “Cup start is rough for Foyt,” Detroit Free Press, March 7, 2003
*Cavin, Curt. “Foyt regrest opening shop in N.C.,” The Indianapolis Star, August 2, 2002
*Courchesne, Shawn. “A.J.’s son looking to make mark in Busch,” The Orlando Sentinel, May 11, 2001
*Dutton, Monte. “Wingo becomes McMurray’s crew chief; lawsuit filed against Marlin,” The Tribune, December 18, 2002
*Dutton, Monte. “Living up to name,” Northwest Herald, March 19, 2003
*Ford, Tom. “Family Heritage is no guarantee,” The Tampa Tribune, April 6, 2002
*Harris, Mike. “Keeping the family tradition, Larry latest Foyt to race,” January 18, 2001
*Harris, Mike. “Son follows in A.J.’s footsteps,” January 19, 2001
*Herman, Steve. “Larry Foyt test Speedway with other rookies,” The Republic, April 27, 2004
*Herman, Steve. “The next generation,” The Hearald-News, April 29, 2004
*Masters, Jim. “NASCAR driver delivers lunch,” The Times, July 11, 2002
*Parsons, Keith. “Foyt among seven missing 500,” The Daily News-Journal, February 14, 2003
*Pedley, Jim. “Larry Foyt stayed on track, following father’s footsteps,” The Kansas City Star, August 24, 2001
*Sturbin, John. “Rough Rider,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 30, 2001
*Sturbin, John. “Foyt steps up to Cup,” January 24, 2003
*Sturbin, John. “Larry Foyt Qualifies for First Indy,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 16, 2004
*Utter, Jim. “The Sensational Six,” The Times Herald, January 30, 2003
*Vega, Michael. “Like father, like son,”” Lexington Herald-Leader, May 12, 2001
*Woody, Larry. “Sick of losing, Foyt puts son in Winston Cup seat,” The Tennessean, February 13, 2003
UNCREDITED ARTICLES
“Son of Foyt,” The Kansas City Star, February 18, 2001
“Despite obvious differences, Larry Foyt following in dad’s footsteps,” The Rock Island Argus, April 3, 2002
“Winston Cup News” The Times, January 17, 2003
“Larry Foyt decides to skip race this week,” April 12, 2003
“Another Foyt will be at Indy 500,” The Courier-Journal, May 22, 2003
“Foyt Takes Advantage,” Hartford Courant, July 25, 2003
“Takes blame,” The Times, August 3, 2003
“Lengthy streak finally stopped,” The Cincinnati Enquirer, August 3, 2003
“Foyt’s finish his best of the season,” The Charlotte Observer, November 17, 2003 - Спорт
He stuggled with a struggling team while also being a rookie which is tough, you never see a rookie driver and a rookie team do great things because you need someone to guide the ship in my opinion. With that being said, my buddy was a machinist on the 14 team and because of that I got to meet and hangout with Larry foyt on several occasions he even came to my buddy's house a few times and played call of duty, Nascar and halo with us. Larry is a damn good person and was fun to hangout with and just one of the guys and went out of his way to help others whenever he had the chance to do so. As a racer he didn't have much of a chance to be great but as a person and friend Larry foyt is one of the greatest you will ever meet.
I really love how you look at these docs from a different perspective. Rather than calling them busts you show it from the human aspect and people wanting to succeed. Well done as always.
It also feels like the immense difficulty and talent of even these "busts" are acknowledged, displayed, and appreciated, how skilled they all are, drivers, owners, crew chiefs, pit crews, you name it, and yet come up short at these high levels against several fellow titans.
I’ll never forget seeing AJ in the garage area in Daytona. He was on the back bumper of his Oldsmobile pushing it through the garage area. Chewing gum, he looked up at me with a big ole smile and winked. I remember it like it was yesterday. My hero growing up in Indy and listening to races on the radio.
I think Larry could have found a niche in Busch or Truck. Considering his improvement in Busch in 2002, it's possible he could have picked up more top 10s.
So running that Ray Evernham prepared car resulted in a great run. I have to assume A.J. Foyt just didn't have the right people in place or what he needed to make the cars go. And if A.J. couldn't get it together, I can't imagine how tough it is for anyone else!! Interesting story. Thanks for showcasing!
My wife thinks I'm crazy. I was the most casual of Nascar fans for many years, but now I'm deep down the rabbit hole. Love the stories man, keep em coming!
I had that old Conseco Pontiac die-cast, but I'd always thought it was Larry Foyt's car. I'm suprised to learn here that he never drove it
I used to have a Larry Foyt Harrahs hat. This makes me wish I never sold it. Awesome as always!
I loved AJ's Kennametal-sponsored car for the Brickyard. My dad worked for the company, so I got a t-shirt and some other merch, but he didn't make the field.
The PJ Jones top 5 at the Glen is always what I remember that team for. I recall during that race it was mentioned that PJ was promised an oval start with them if he got a top 10, but I don't think they ended up giving it to him
Indy in the #50
That Greg LeMond from Medina, MN who raced in the Formula 2000 race with Larry Foyt at 3:09 is four-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond.
Was it a Funky Cold Medina?
Holy fuck I never knew he raced cars.
Great documentary as always. Ever thought about doing one about the ASA?
I'd pay legit money to see this
Incredible video and great information. I never knew when the 14 changed to a Dodge in '03, that they were basically a Evernham satellite team! Now I want to find or make a 14/50 Harrah's Dodge for my massive Evernham collection!!
Quite an interesting career I must say. As usual high in quality and a wonderfully produced video Brock!
I love old super Tex but those shoes are tough ones to fill !
I think Larry was rushed up the ladder much too quickly and some of A.J.’s old school ways stymied Larry’s full potential. Sometimes Dads can be their Sons or Daughters worst enemies for success.
Great Documentary, hope many more are to come.
Well, since today is his birthday......happy birthday Larry, and many more.
I'd like to see something like this done for Scott Wimmer or Jon Wood.
Greg sacks and Jason leffler would be perfect for me plus the 2 you mentioned
It's amazing the stories you teach me. I never knew Evernham helped him out in Homestead
Thanks for the memory Refresher. There was so much going on with Earnhardt's death Larry in the ASA series, Ron hornaday transferring to cup, and a whole lot more
Larry Foyt should have found a full time ride in trucks. Who truly knows where he would be today if he did that. I hope Matty D finds success in trucks this season and hope he gets another cup ride and kicks ass for 2023 season
Now I am a fan of Larry Foyt because of this video.
Pretty awesome deep dive on Larry. I only kinda knew of him before. Glad he found success in another capacity. Seems like a nice guy and a hard worker.
Like he said himself, moved up too fast, otherwise might have made a good racer. Think he still fulfilled some of his dreams and has respect as a driver and business guy. Great video Beard!
AJ just doesn't put together teams that can compete. Partly because of money, partly because people will go anywhere else they get an offer because they quickly get tired of being yelled at.
Great video! I wonder if Foyt buying Ron Hornaday's old DEI Busch cars for 2001 was somehow related to Hornady getting the cup ride with AJ Foyt that year.
Great documentary Brock!!! I have the AJ Foyt Racing Conseco cars ran by
Ron Hornaday in 2001 and Stacy Compton in 2002. Now I need a Mike Bliss 2000 and Larry Foyts Harrahs Busch car
What about rick mast? He drove the 14 also.
I have the Ron hornaday car and I still have it
@@Denverbroncos87 they never made the Rick Mast one in 1:64
Thanks for the Great content and all the hard work Brock.
Another great video. Appreciate your efforts on all of these.
Spectacular video as usual!
It made me know more about Larry Foyt and his career. Keep up the awesome work.^^
Great video Brock. I love this channel.
An almost impossible task, driving for AJ Foyt. As much as I love seeing an AJ car I'd hate to be one of his drivers.
AJ was always right a out nascar
I believe Lucy was a deciding factor in this decision
The Conseco team seemed like it had some potential if AJ had just been a bit more patient and let things develop...pick a driver and stick to it or whatever. But its AJ, and its never AJ's fault is it?
The engine note at 32:42 sounds so unique yet so addicting
Great video Brock are you still going to do the Hermie Sadler field filler video?
Yes indeed! I plan to finish that one next.
That cartoon by Lori Munro brought back SO MANY MEMORIES! I remember there was at least a new one what seemed like every week. Brock! Thank you, I’ve wondered for years who made those cartoons!
That was her! Lori and I are good friends. She recommended me to my first NASCAR podcast appearance on RaceTalkRadio.com. Loved having the chance to return the favor and feature her art. war-wagon.com
@@LASTCARonBROCK She had a lot of good art! One memory I have is back in the day, 2003-2004, my dad would save her new drawing every week and would save it to a folder that would be a loop for our family computer’s screen saver (back in the day when there was only one in the house 😂). There’s a few that stick out in my brain. The Lady in Black loses some inches because of the installation of the SAFER barrier. There‘s a drawing of Tony Stewart’s hauler parked in between two others and his hauler is a little wider on the top where the car is stored because his car was too wide at Bristol (I believe). And there’s a few more that stick out, but as soon as I saw the Larry Foyt one you included, it stopped me dead in my tracks because allllll those memories came back! Thanks for that! You do that quite a bit for me! Love all your content! I was a diehard NASCAR fan for years and years, but your content on Indycar intrigues me. I like racing, and I know it’s going to be a well thought out, grade A video when it comes from either this channel or nascarman. I know it’s going to be informative, interesting, and time well spent!Keep up the good work!
Larry's just being Larry, I can't imagine the pressure from Super Tex.. Certain things he was just a natural & bet AJ really struggled with, his grandsons, Mike Bliss & P.J. Jones were just mere mortals. But, think Robin Miller told us AJ failed four times to get his pilot's license - but flew anyway citing Texas as the reason he had the right to fly. I wonder if he'll ever get to grips with humility... certainly not while Mario's still around. One day the 14 & 44 indycar ptograms might become successful, still one must wonder when. I think AJs ego(and wealth) are the reason he'd throw his own money at an unsuccessful team.. because he has his name on it... or am I jaded & he was doing the honorable thing, paying the bills and his guys?
Great video Brock !!
Love these videos
Who in green hell thought F2000 at Atlanta was a good idea? That's like running IndyCars at Talladega.
It was the Mid-Late 90's, there was a lot of weird shit going on, a lot of it was related to CART and the IRL trying to find support races and what-not for their main races. This all culminated in 2006 when USAC got the "bright"(i.e. ridiculously stupid) idea to completely redesign the Silver Crown cars and take them Super Speedway racing, they ran one season of that with horrifyingly small fields and it was scrapped. It damn near killed the Silver Crown series as whole.
I don't know why but that yellow Harrahs scheme was one of my favorites of all time.
I know of at least one Cup engine from the AJ Foyt team that was still being ran in a car as late as 2012, Ron Hornaday lent it to Nick Hoffman to run in a dirt modified,
During the clip from Sonoma, it was mentioned they didn't have any provisionals due to not attempting Martinsville. But I don't believe you covered why.
He did his best with what he hade love your videos
These are superb, I’ve also bought your audiobook and look forward to listening to that soon :)
Thank you! It was quite the experience putting the audiobook together, and I hope you enjoy it.
I always feel for these drivers with famous last names. Even the ones that find success are often put down by fans and the media. Most people would not call a driver that won 8 NASCAR races "A failure" but I have seen that label applied to Kyle Petty. How often does Michael Andretti's name come up as one of the worst F1 drivers of all time? Etc.. Larry Foyt, Larry Pearson, and so many others start out life like a kite with a REALLY big tail tied on.
I think Larry should have stayed in the Busch series. He was the type of guy that had the skill to be great in the Busch series year in and out, kinda like Justin Allgaier or AJ Allmendinger are today.
Thank you in loving memory of Brooke and Lynn
Very Interesting.... I have a suggestion: a "What If" video on AJ Foyt IV? I mean, people tend to forget the fact that he won the Indy Lights championship in 2002...
he married the daughter of the Indianapolis Colts, he was told to retire from racing
@@johnbremner5339 yes that is correct, but I wonder who told him to quit racing..now you got me curious
I heard that it was the wife...either way, he has a high level office job with the Colts
@@johnbremner5339 he does.... I'm happy for him that he gets to do what he loves....I firmly believe that had Andrew Luck had a legit offensive line, definitely at least a trip to the AFC Championship game, if not the Super Bowl
Great job Brock!! Any word on the Unheralded book?
I hope AJ told Larry he loved him
The most memorable moment for Larry Foyt is hitting Steve Park when his steering wheel came off
love the videos but is there any way you could like, edit the sound when you're playing vhs stuff has a painful high pitch in alot of scenes across your videos and as nuch as i wanna watch I could only get to 19 mins before I had to tap out
please threre must be a way to filter it and such! I know you can't do anything to current uploads but maybe in the future it could help me and others with hearing issues!
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Can you give me the timestamps of the clips that were an issue? That way I can work on getting them filtered in future videos.
That 03 qually run by PJ Jones sounds like a F1 engine
Great job again Brock. These are research projects that you do quite good.
I think Larry’s lackluster nascar career was pretty much brought on by AJs old timer mentality. Everything progresses in all sports, so you keep up with the time or fade out.
Per Wikipedia, Park's steering wheel came off.
Somewhere here I have a signed Larry hero card. But I don't recall where I got it, if he signed it or they had some already signed to hand out. I kind of think it was pre-signed, because I remember getting stuff signed by the Bodines and Michael McDowell plus guys in other series.
IIRC, Park broke a rear axle that locked up the left rear.
If the man loved racing in it regardless off finishing positions then it isn’t a mistake
Feel bad for Larry, AJ kinda screwed him sadly
Steve Park's crash ruined him
I forget who this documentary is about by 18:00. I thought it was about Larry Foyt.
I can understand the confusion, but the story of Larry Foyt is inseparable from that of A.J. Foyt's team, thus the deep dive. By the end, you'll have a better idea of how it ties together.
Larry Foyt is today's equivalent of Aric Almarollo...lol
That interesting sounding car sounds more like an Indycar or CART engine than a Nascar one, maybe that’s what it was, or maybe a Nascar engine modified to be more like an Indycar or CART one.
Sounds like Danica's tale of woe, except that Danica generated loads of cash.
Larry tried but he just didn't have the skill set or the high quality racecars.He would have been better to race local short tracks in late models.Not demeaning Larry,just saying what I saw.The experience was invaluable to Larrys work in the business now with his Dad.
Man what if ward Burton collected dale sr and made him DNF
Holy SHIT, AJ was a lousy team owner even then
i think Larry should of stayed in the Busch series or trucks
I feel like his dad played too much of a role in the trajectory of his career which ultimately harmed his chances
Who had the better career, Larry or AJ Foyt IV?
A very good question. At least in terms of NASCAR, I'd have to go with Larry. A.J. IV tried to make some Busch races with Akins, but seemed to struggle more than Larry. Plus, for better or worse, A.J. IV never made it to Cup.
Didn't Harrah's sponsor Robby Gordon as well, or was that a lucid dream?
That's correct, but they did wait a year until Robby's team started in 2005
This feels like rotff but I know it isn't really lol
I'd call em the addendum series.
Should. Hadrun Chevy might had helped but he did get college degree good luck in rest of life
larry didnt have the right equipment. Gets a motor and chasis from ray everham and finishes 16th. He would of been good if he was with the right stuff.
Should have ran Chevy's and tried to keep Ron
Jr interviewed him on his podcast, and Ron said it was a mutual split after '01. He was sick of it there.
29:27 Tell Us How You Really Feel Aj
Story is he was not his dad !!!!
Yeah, nor should he have to be.
Not the story at all. 🤡
Brock you spent too much time talking all the Foyt drivers not enough about Larry.
This is why I like to interview the driver, where possible. I do think it was justified to go in depth about the other driver changes at A.J. Foyt Racing to understand why Larry was rushed. I left out the IRL team almost entirely so it wouldn't be information overload.
@@LASTCARonBROCK ok. Cool video and facts as always though🏁
I believe Lucy was a deciding factor in this decision