A.J. Foyt: Super Tex and the Drive That Never Quit

A Savtini Motorsports Classic

There are racing legends, and then there is A.J. Foyt.

For more than three decades, Anthony Joseph "A.J." Foyt dominated nearly every form of American motorsports. Whether it was an Indy car, sprint car, midget, stock car, or endurance sports car, Foyt climbed behind the wheel with one goal—to win. His fearless driving style, mechanical knowledge, and relentless determination earned him the nickname "Super Tex," a title that still perfectly describes one of the greatest racers the sport has ever known.

When race fans talk about the Mount Rushmore of American motorsports, A.J. Foyt's name is permanently carved in stone.

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The Indianapolis 500 – A Place in History

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No race defined Foyt's career more than the Indianapolis 500.

He captured his first victory in 1961 before adding wins in 1964 and 1967. Then came 1977, when the veteran Texan reminded the racing world that experience could still conquer youth. Driving his own Coyote race car, Foyt became the first driver in history to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, a record that stood alone for years and remains one of the greatest accomplishments in racing. He also became the first driver to win the race in both front-engine and rear-engine Indy cars, further cementing his legendary status.

The image of Foyt celebrating in Victory Lane after his fourth Indianapolis 500 triumph remains one of the defining moments in motorsports history.

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The Last Victory

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Every legendary career eventually reaches its final chapter.

For Foyt, that chapter came at the 1981 Pocono 500.

The race itself was unlike any other. The ongoing split between USAC and CART left the event with an unusual field that included Indy cars alongside Silver Crown dirt cars. Rain shortened the race after 305 of the scheduled 500 miles, but it didn't diminish the significance of the outcome. Foyt drove with the same determination that had defined his career, claiming what would become the 67th and final Indy car victory of his remarkable career.

It was a fitting ending.

Not flashy.

Not dramatic.

Simply another victory by a man who made winning look routine.

The Sprint Car Roots

Long before Indianapolis knew his name, Foyt was earning his reputation on dirt.

Sprint cars and midgets were where he learned racecraft. Sliding sideways through corners, searching for traction, and racing inches from competitors demanded a special kind of courage. Dirt racing taught him patience, throttle control, and mechanical feel—skills that followed him throughout his entire career.

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Even after becoming an Indianapolis legend, Foyt regularly returned to sprint car racing because it was where he felt most at home.

Fans loved watching him at tracks across the Midwest, where he battled many of the greatest dirt racers of his era. To Foyt, dirt racing wasn't beneath him—it was part of who he was.

More Than an IndyCar Driver

What truly separated Foyt from nearly everyone else was his versatility.

He didn't simply master one discipline.

He conquered all of them.

His résumé includes victories in the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 12 Hours of Sebring. He remains the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, and Le Mans during his career—an achievement that may never be matched.

Whether the race lasted 50 laps on dirt or 24 hours at Le Mans, Foyt expected to compete for the win.

Tougher Than the Competition

Foyt's reputation extended beyond his victories.

He was known as one of the toughest competitors motorsports had ever seen.

Broken bones.

Burns.

Major crashes.

Serious surgeries.

None of it kept him away for long.

He climbed back into race cars time after time, driven by an unmatched desire to compete. That toughness earned the respect of fans, competitors, and future generations of drivers alike.