A.J. Foyt Partners with Richard Childress for Indy 500

HOUSTON (May 2, 2001) - A.J. Foyt has taken on a partner for this year’s Indianapolis 500. NASCAR Winston Cup championship team owner Richard Childress is now the co-owner of the No. 41 Dallara/Oldsmobile Aurora Indy car to be driven by Robby Gordon in this year’s Indy 500. A.J. Foyt filed an entry change listing RCR Racing as the co-entrant (along with A.J. Foyt Racing) of Gordon’s car last Saturday.

“I was talking to Richard at Talladega,” said Indy’s first four-time winning driver, “and asked him if he wanted to be my partner in the second car at Indy this year. Richard and I have been friends for many, many years and I know he has enjoyed coming to Indy in the past so I figured I’d give him a reason to come again. The difference is he’ll be a team owner this year.”"Being involved in some way in the Indy 500 is something I've always wanted to do," said Childress. "A.J. and I have been friends for a long time and there isn't anyone else I'd rather be a co-owner with for that race. We have both been fortunate enough to get to Victory Lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and I think we have a real shot at getting there together this year with Robby, who is a very talented driver."

Childress was a frequent visitor to the Speedway in May during practice and Pole Day qualifying in the 1980’s. Childress won the Brickyard 400 in 1995 with the late Dale Earnhardt, who led the race’s final 28 laps. Foyt last visited Victory Lane at the Speedway in 1999 when Kenny Brack won the 500 in Foyt’s No. 14. Foyt’s last victory as a driver came in 1977 when he became the first man to win the race four times. Eliseo Salazar is driving Foyt’s famed No. 14 Harrah’s entry in this year’s 500. Salazar is currently second in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series standings.