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Profile: A.J. Foyt IV
By Andrew Cutler February 26 2008
Being the grandson of a world famous racing driver doesn't mean that you don't have to pay your dues and earn your spot in the sport. Just ask A.J. Foyt IV, who swept floors in the shop and changes tires on race day for grandpa's team, all while working his way up the developmental ladder.

Foyt began his climb up the ranks of racing in junior dragsters, not karts, winning two titles by age eleven. Switching over to karts, he won state championships in Texas & Louisiana, as well as several matches in the World Karting Association and International Kart Federation series.

In 2001 Foyt would compete in the SCCA Formula Continental Series, winning six races in only nine starts, which won him Rookie of the Year honors even though he missed three events on the schedule. He also tried his hand at USAC Silver Crown cars.

For 2002 young A.J. IV would be called upon by his famous grandfather to pilot a car in the inaugural Indy Pro season. He rose to the challenge in fine fashion, capturing four poles & winning four races in the seven event season, easily capturing the series championship.

In 2003 A.J. IV, who was not yet 19, would move up to his grandfather's IndyCar squad; the youngest driver ever to race at that level. He would drive for the team for three seasons, but A.J. Foyt Enterprises was not a squad that was capable of competing against the top-tier outfits of the ICS, and he only managed three top-ten finishes in that stint.

Thinking that his fortunes might be brighter in NASCAR, A.J. IV tried his hand at the Busch Series at the tail end of the 2005 season. His plan was to run a full season in 2006, but the team that he had signed for was bought out & the new owners made a change from Dodge to Chevrolet cars, which violated the terms of A.J.'s contract, so his forray into NASCAR ground to a halt.

Returning to IndyCar, A.J. was tapped by the Andretti-Green squad to replace the injured Dario Franchitti for the 2006 season finale at Chicagoland. For 2007 he was picked up by Vision Racing. He notched his best season so far for Vision, claiming two more top-tens as well as a career-best third place finish at Kentucky.

A.J. IV will be back with Vision Racing for the 2008 season.  

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