Location: Daytona
Beach, FL
Shape: Tri-Oval
Distance: 2.5
Miles
Banking, Turns: 31
degrees
Front Straight: 1,900
feet (from turn to middle of tri-oval)
Banking, Start: 18
degrees
Back Straight: 3,000
feet
Banking, Straightaways: 6
degrees |
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Daytona International Speedway
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FOYT RUNS STRONG BUT POOR FUEL MILEAGE PROVES COSTLY
Thursday, February 13
 Larry Foyt posted a strong run in the first Gatorade Twin 125 qualifying race at
Daytona International Speedway Thursday afternoon only to have his car run out
fuel which ultimately contributed to his not qualifying for the Daytona 500.
Foyt started 17th in the Harrah's Dodge and had moved up to 10th position in the
early stages. About 20 laps into the 50-lap race he got shuffled back to 19th
but he soldiered back into the top 14 (and a qualifying berth for the 500)
before he had to pit for fuel.
"I really thought we were going to race our way in to the Daytona 500, but then
the car ran out of fuel coming off four," the disappointed rookie said
afterwards. "It didn't give any indication like fluttering, it just quit. I
tried swerving back and forth to slosh the fuel in the tank but that didn't
help. Then I popped it into neutral and coasted through the pits but our pit was
at the far end and it just cost us a lot of time.
"I hate it for the guys because they worked so hard to get here and they gave me
a good car. It's very disappointing for our whole Harrah's team but we'll just
have to keep our chins up and focus on the next race."
When Foyt came back on the track he had lost the lead draft and was racing with
Mike Skinner who had stalled his car in the pits. Foyt finished 22nd.
With some of the top-10 teams having problems and having to take provisional
starting slots, Foyt missed out on making the field by one just position.
"I guess it just wasn't meant to be," said A.J. Foyt. "Larry ran a good race,
one of the best I've seen him drive. I knew he could drive with these guys and
now I hope they realize he can drive with them too.
"We've made some changes to the crew and overall, they have done a really good
job making the switch to Dodges and getting ready for this race. It's a
rebuilding year though and we're going to have some missteps because this is the
first time that they worked together as a team. I'm disappointed but then again
I'm optimistic for the future. I think we're going to turn some heads this
year."
Foyt's next race is at Rockingham's North Carolina Speedway the weekend of
February 23rd. Foyt celebrates his 26th birthday on Saturday, February 22nd. He
is planning to celebrate more than his birthday that weekend!
LARRY FOYT TO COMPETE IN FIRST TWIN 125 AT DAYTONA THURSDAY
Wednesday, February 12
Larry Foyt will start 17th in his first NASCAR Winston Cup qualifying race at
Daytona International Speedway Thursday afternoon.
Driving his father's No. 14 Harrah's Dodge, Foyt, 25, earned his starting
position by qualifying 33rd at a speed of 182,979 mph on Monday afternoon when
rain delayed qualifying for a day. He is one of six rookies attempting to
qualify for their first Daytona 500 which will run this Sunday, February 16th.
"After we were practicing, we were saying we'd be happy qualifying in the top
35," Foyt said. "It was the best the car felt since I was down here. After the
run, we were wishing it could have been better. I think I lost some speed with
the crosswinds in turn four.
"We've got a good car and I'm looking forward to racing it not just at Daytona,
but the entire year."
His father A.J. Foyt who had to remain in Houston on business for the first part
of the week called his son after his run.
"I called to tell him he did a good job," the senior Foyt said. "He ran a good
line and when you figure the team is practically brand new because we have
brought in so many new people in key positons, well I think they did a really
good job." Foyt arrives in Daytona on Wednesday.
Young Foyt spent Tuesday and
Wednesday in drafting practice.
"We made some changes in final practice that really helped the car in the
draft," he said afterwards. "We're pretty happy with the way ithe Harrah's Dodge
responded."
Foyt will need to finish in the top 14 on Thursday (excluding the polesitter
Jeff Green, who is guaranteed to start on the pole) in order to compete in the
Daytona 500 on Sunday..
The Twin 125s will be broadcast live on FX Sports Thursday starting at 12:30 pm
Eastern time.
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