IRL and sponsor to honor Foyt
The 2007 season marks Foyt's 50th anniversary season of participation in Indy car racing. To help celebrate this milestone, the IndyCar Series, A.J. Foyt Racing and ABC Supply Co., the primary sponsor of Foyt's IndyCar Series team, have developed initiatives for fans and customers to enjoy.
"I really appreciate all that the IRL and ABC Supply are doing to make this season even more special for me," said Foyt, the 500-Mile Race's first four-time winner and the only man to win Indy, the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Daytona 500.
"I feel real fortunate to have made a living from being a race driver. It's been very successful for me and I've had a lot of fun. Even though I'm crippled today from race cars, I don't know of anything I'd change because, all in all, the good's offset the bad. I wouldn't trade careers with anyone."
Fans can visit a unique walking timeline chronicling Foyt's unparalleled career that will be displayed at each domestic racetrack that hosts the series. The timeline is 80 feet long and features pictures from the start of his Indy car driving career in 1957 to his first Indianapolis 500 triumph to his present role as owner of A.J. Foyt Racing, which has garnered two IndyCar Series championships and the 1999 victory in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
The display also incorporates memorabilia from Foyt's personal collection. Additionally, the walking timeline is flanked by the No. 14 Gilmore Racing Team Special, just like the car Foyt piloted to victory at the 1977 Indianapolis 500 and the No. 14 ABC Supply Co. Dallara/Honda/Firestone, similar to the car that is being driven by Darren Manning for A.J. Foyt Racing this season.
"A.J. has been involved as a team owner in the IndyCar Series since its inception, so its only fitting that we'd honor this significant moment in his career," said Mike Ringham, vice president of marketing for the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series. "This walking timeline is a great way for new fans to learn about the Foyt legacy in racing and for long-time followers to reminisce on some of the greatest moments in the sport."
This display will be set up in the IndyCar Series Fan Zone in the midway during event weekends. The display was designed by the IndyCar Series, A.J. Foyt Racing and ABC Supply Co. and will be transported by Indianapolis-based Sinden Racing Services.
ABC Supply Co. also has created promotional opportunities for its customers to help celebrate not only Foyt's 50th anniversary season in Indy car competition, but the company's 25th anniversary.
"We are proud to sponsor A.J. Foyt Racing and are excited that our organizations are celebrating these significant anniversaries together," said Ken Hendricks, ABC Supply Co. founder and chief executive officer. "A.J. and I come from similar backgrounds, and the values and work ethic that have made A.J. Foyt Racing so successful have also fueled ABC Supply's growth. It's a natural partnership. Being part of the A.J. Foyt Racing team and the Indy Racing League is also a real source of pride for our customers and our associates. Many of them are Indy car racing fans, and they love the fact that we're a sponsor. Thousands have had opportunities to join us at the track, and thousands more have attended special racing events at our branches. They really think of the No. 14 car as their car. It gives them an exciting way to identify with ABC Supply."
The "25/50 Anniversary Sweepstakes" honors ABC Supply's 25th anniversary and Foyt's 50th anniversary in Indy car racing. The Grand Prize is a limited-edition stretched canvas painting depicting highlights from Foyt's legendary career and the First Prize is a framed lithograph of the painting. Each ABC Supply branch will award one Grand Prize and two First Prizes and will hold drawings for a variety of other anniversary-related items. The promotion runs May 1 through June 8. Contractors can enter the sweepstakes at any ABC Supply branch.
For race fans, the company is designing an autograph card, which will include cars from Foyt's historic past as well as the current No. 14 ABC Supply Co. IndyCar Series car. During May, a special autograph card featuring a miniature timeline of Foyt's career highlights will be handed out to race fans.
ABC Supply Co., in its third season of partnership with A.J. Foyt Racing, will again be the title sponsor of the June 3 race at The Milwaukee Mile, named in Foyt's honor.