|
INDYCAR SERIES AND ABC SUPPLY CO. HONOR A.J. FOYT'S 50th
ANNIVERSARY SEASON
Walking timeline chronicles legendary Indy car career
Four Indianapolis 500 wins. Seven national championships.
Sixty-seven victories. A.J. Foyt has accomplished more in his career
than any driver could imagine.
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. |
