Richmond International Raceway
SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond

A.J. IV POSTS BEST FINISH OF YEAR

A.J. Foyt IV drove the No. 14 Conseco Dallara/Toyota to its best finish – 11th -- of the year Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. Dan Wheldon used fuel strategy to win the closely fought race which saw several contenders crash.

"We had a good race," said Foyt IV, who appeared able to go another 250 laps around the banked three-quarter mile track. "The Conseco car was competitive all night. We were passing cars and we stayed out of trouble. We ran hard so it was fun for me as a driver."

His performance ties his career best finish which he earned at another demanding short oval, Nazareth (Pa.) Raceway in August, 2003.

Foyt IV started 21st in the SunTrust Indy Challenge after a problem with the rev limiter resulted in his qualifying on just six cylinders. At the start of the race Foyt IV moved into 16th at the end of 30 laps. He moved into 14th during a caution as drivers on different pitstop strategy pitted. A couple of accidents towards the end of the race enabled Foyt IV to gain three more positions.

"A.J. IV did a good job tonight," said his grandfather afterwards. "He drove hard and stayed out of trouble. His car was handling good all night but he just didn't have the power to compete with the Honda engines. Toyota's working hard on their engine program and I'm sure we'll see it turn around soon. I'm glad we finished, we needed that."

The next race is the Argent Mortgage/Kansas Indy 300 on Sunday, July 4th at Kansas Speedway. It will be televised live by ABC starting at 12:30 pm eastern time.
 

NOTES & QUOTES: SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond

A.J. Foyt IV: Conseco No. 14 Dallara/Toyota/Firestone

A.J. Foyt IV on Richmond: "We had a pretty good run going there last year in the Conseco car. I made a rookie mistake and even a small mistake at a track like Richmond can cost you big. I want to run like we did last year but stay out of trouble and be there at the end."


Once again, Larry Foyt will perform as A.J. IV's spotter, this time at Richmond. Foyt had planned to attend the race along with some people from his NASCAR Nextel Cup crew. When Foyt IV heard of those plans, he asked Larry to spot for him. "Larry did a great job for me at Texas," said Foyt IV. "I know he'd rather just watch the race and have fun so I really appreciate him doing this." Larry Foyt's next planned start in his father's Nextel Cup car is the Brickyard 400 at Indy unless sponsorship can be secured before that event.


At the Bombardier 500k in Texas, Foyt IV was running in the lead pack when Ed Carpenter swung wide going into three to avoid running into the back of his teammate Alex Barron. Unfortunately, Foyt IV was in the outside lane at the time. Foyt IV tried to avoid Carpenter but contact was made and Foyt IV was punted into the wall. He emerged unhurt.


Last week, Foyt IV participated in the IRL IndyCar Series Open Test session at the Milwaukee Mile at Wisconsin State Fair Park. "Our test went pretty decent considering we only did half a day. I had never been to Milwaukee before. I'm still learning the track. I know there's more time in me as I get more comfortable with the track. I think we got a pretty good baseline with the Conseco car for when we come back at the end of July." The race, named in honor of his grandfather who competed at the one mile oval 98 times in his career (Indy cars, stock cars, sprints and midgets), will be known as the A.J. Foyt Indy 225 at The Milwaukee Mile. Menards is sponsoring the race this year.


At Richmond last year, Foyt IV ran one of his best races of the season. He started 21st and was running 15th when he spun while trying to lap a slower car on lap 130. He was credited with 21st; however, it was the last time that he crashed in the 2003 season.


The SunTrust Indy Challenge will be televised live Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. eastern on ESPN2.