A. J. Foyt

Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. (16 January 1935 - Present): American racing driver from Houston, Texas who became one of motorsport's most versatile and successful competitors, achieving the unique distinction of winning the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Foyt is best known for being the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977) and holds numerous career records at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960, making Foyt a Formula One World Championship participant during those years, though his focus remained on IndyCar racing.

His racing career began in 1953 on small dirt tracks around Houston at age 17, and unlike many drivers, Foyt was an expert auto mechanic who understood every aspect of his cars. He participated in his first IndyCar race in 1957 and made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1958, avoiding a near-crash to finish 16th. For much of the next two decades, Foyt dominated IndyCar racing, winning a record 67 victories and holding the most American National Championship titles in history with seven (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1975, 1979). At the Indianapolis 500, Foyt holds numerous career records including the first driver to win four times, most consecutive and career starts (35), most races led (13), most times led during career (39), and most competitive laps and miles during a career (4,909 laps, 12,272.

5 miles). His versatility extended beyond open-wheel racing—he won the Daytona 500 in 1972, making him the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. His Le Mans victory came in 1967 when he partnered with Dan Gurney driving a Ford GT40 Mk. IV, becoming the first all-American team to win the grueling race. As a team owner, Foyt continued his winning ways, with drivers Kenny Bräck winning the 1999 Indianapolis 500 in Foyt's car, putting him in the winner's circle at Indy for the fifth time.

Foyt won national Indy car championships as a team owner five times: 1967, 1975, 1979, 1996 (with Scott Sharp), and 1998 (with Kenny Bräck). Known for his fearless, aggressive driving style, mechanical expertise, and fierce competitiveness, Foyt was notorious for his hot temper but respected for his extraordinary talent across multiple racing disciplines. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Automotive Hall of Fame. His legacy in American motorsport remains unparalleled, representing an era when drivers competed across multiple forms of racing rather than specializing.

Foyt famously stated 'I wouldn't cross the street to go watch a Formula 1 race,' preferring the American racing tradition. His achievements spanning IndyCar, stock car, and endurance racing make him one of the greatest racing drivers in history.