Hot Laps
AJ Foyt Trophy
By Kate Guerra | IndyCar. com
A. J. Foyt ' s legendary racing career was almost done in by the streets of Phoenix nearly 60 years ago. Before he became an Indy car legend, a relatively unknown Foyt drove from his home in Houston to Phoenix to meet with crew chief Clint Brawner. Brawner’ s driver, Jimmy Bryan, had just quit the team after winning his third Indy car championship in four years. Despite the success, Bryan was frustrated the team couldn’ t capture the elusive Indianapolis 500 victory, so Foyt was called up for an interview.
All Foyt had to do was find Brawner ' s home. The eventual four-time Indianapolis 500 champion was lost amidst Phoenix’ s matrix of avenues and streets, which alternate depending on what side of the city you are on.“ My heart was pounding out of my chest,” Foyt said.“ I couldn’ t find his house.”
Eventually that fateful meeting happened, and Foyt began his relationship with Brawner that led to his first opportunity to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and kick started his illustrious career. That tenure included a win at the first Indy car race at Phoenix International Raceway in 1964.
Foyt joined Phoenix Raceway president Bryan Sperber, Hulman and Co. CEO Mark Miles and Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Graham Rahal and Ed Carpenter for a ceremony to unveil the AJ Foyt Champions Trophy, which will be awarded to the winner of the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix on April 2nd. The stainless steel trophy features a photo-etched image of Foyt’ s face with his signature engraved underneath. The base is made of Grand Canyon onyx, which was found in a local Phoenix quarry.“ It’ s an honor( to have the trophy named after me),” Foyt said.“ I wish I was younger and able to go out with these guys and compete for it, but I’ m not.”
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Motorsports H. O. F. Receives $ 2.5 Million Grant
MSHF. COM
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America( MSHFA) announced today that it has received a $ 2.5 million grant from the Margie & Robert E. Petersen Foundation of Los Angeles, with the money targeted to fund construction and development of the Robert E. Petersen Theater in the hall’ s new permanent home at Daytona International Speedway.
The MSHFA, which has moved to Daytona Beach from Novi, Michigan, will be housed in the speedway’ s expansive ticket and tours facility that greets thousands of motorsports fans each year at the“ World Center of Racing.” A vital component in the relocation will be the new theater, along with a Robert E. Petersen“ Tribute Room” that will greet guests entering the attraction.
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Brady Brings Home the Bacon
USAC PR | Ryan Sellers Photo
Brady Bacon methodically maneuvered his way from his sixth starting spot and in a three-lap stretch, a third of the way into the 30-lap feature, drove from fourth to first. Passing Dave Darland on lap 12 and held off a late charge from Kyle Cummins to take the victory in front of a standing-room only crowd in the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship ' s debut at Montpelier( Ind.) Motor Speed-
Hot Laps | American Racing News | 5