Many of you know the genesis of NASCAR racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway started in 1991 during an A.J. Foyt commercial shoot for Craftsman Tools (photographed by Ron McQueeney for the Indianapolis Star). A.J. told Tony George he thought NASCAR could put on a good race and let the track president drive his Oldsmobile for a few laps. The next year Foyt drove Dale Earnhardt’s car during a Goodyear “tire test” at the track and in 1994 the first Brickyard 400 was held, with A.J. making the field.
But how many know Foyt wanted to stage a stock car race at the Speedway in 1979? After CART announced plans for a Labor Day race at Ontario, Foyt—who had recently broken ranks with the owner group—told USAC and the Speedway he wanted to rent the track and hold an Indy car/stock car double header the same day at IMS. Both were agreeable and ticket prices were announced ($5 and $10). But Foyt cancelled a few days later, saying it would only make things worse. He also warned if the two groups didn’t get together soon, “our sport is going to fall apart.”