A little something to give thanks for: A.J. is still with us...

The news comprised two short paragraphs. It made me stop and think about the history of the subject in question: A.J. Foyt Jr. Foyt, you may recall, underwent triple bypass surgery less than a month ago and remains in hospital at Houston, TX due to a post-operative complication that, his team says has been resolved.

According to youngest son and A.J. Foyt Racing team director Larry Foyt, “A.J.’s doing really well. I’d like to thank everyone who sent get-well wishes - it means a lot to A.J. and our family. We’re not sure when he will be released because he needs to rest. He’s improving each day and we’re expecting a full recovery.”

That short missive about the first four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is another good reason to give thanks this year. Aren’t we lucky to have shared Foyt’s exploits over the past 50-plus years and to still have him around to titillate the current Verizon IndyCar Series management for their ineffectiveness?

Aren’t we lucky he’s planned to have a two-car Honda-based team in 2015 comprised of returnee Takuma Sato and second-year standout Jack Hawksworth? Aren’t we lucky he’s survived all his other accidents, physical ailments and unusual circumstances to be with us today?

So as we’re sitting down to some monstrous feast today for Thanksgiving, let’s remember to give thanks for Indy car racing’s most colorful character, Super Tex A.J. Foyt Jr. The INDYCAR paddock is truly empty when he’s not around.