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Foyt: Ambitious test program will speed up 2018 driver decision
AJ Foyt Racing’s team president Larry Foyt says the squad’s driver lineup for next year will be set “very soon” as he wishes them to get off to a fast start with the new universal aerokits.
David Malsher-Lopez
Edited: Sep 7, 2017, 2:43 AM
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The team which operates Carlos Munoz’s #14 car from Waller, Tx. and Conor Daly’s #4 car from its new facility in Indianapolis, Ind., was the last IndyCar outfit to confirm its 2017 switch from Honda to Chevrolet engines and manufacturer aerokits. That delay had a knock-on effect felt throughout the season, and from which the team is only now recovering.
Consequently, Foyt and IndyCar icon A.J. Foyt are eager to start IndyCar’s new universal aerokit era with key personnel, including drivers, already in place.
Larry told Motorsport.com: “I don’t think we’re going to be able to announce anything in time for Sonoma [next week’s IndyCar finale], but we want to get everything done and get on with our winter program very soon.
“We have a pretty ambitious program set – obviously with a major emphasis on aero work – so I don’t want to drag anything out. It’s never an easy decision because both our drivers this year have done well, given their difficult circumstances. It was always going to be an uphill battle for them – for all of us.”
Tony Kanaan, the 2004 IndyCar champion and 2013 Indy 500 winner, who is almost certain to be leaving Chip Ganassi Racing after four seasons, has long been known as one of the few current drivers that AJ Foyt admires.
However, Larry would not be drawn on whether initial talks with Kanaan have developed further.
“The truth is, we’re still talking to quite a few drivers,” he said, “and we’re talking to both our current guys too. We’re just trying to figure out what will be best for us as a group, moving forward. I really like both of our drivers and they both have good attributes.”
Foyt is confident that his team’s strengths are finally showing through enough to attract other quality drivers, in a year when so many driver/team contracts are up. The steady progress, he said, will also mean there won’t be many changes in the staff lineup as a whole.
He said: “Now things are starting to jell, don’t expect upheaval in the engineering or the crews. Considering not only the late start but how hectic it is with so many races packed into a short space of time, I think the fact you can track our progress upward from the start of the season to now is a testimony to the group of guys we have here.
“We’re feeling encouraged by the fact that we are getting better, more consistent, and it’s just a pity it’s come so late. Our Mid-Ohio test and our Gateway test both went well and so our cars were better there when we went back to race. That’s all it took – just getting some track time to help get caught up.”
Although ABC Supply, which has sponsored AJ Foyt Racing since 2005, does not have a direct say in the driver lineup, Foyt said the Wisconsin-based company’s wishes were in line with the team’s.
“They want to win races like we do,” he said, “so we’re focused on whatever and whoever gives us the best chance of doing that. We’re not just in this to take part.
“We bring a lot of people to the races and both Carlos and Conor do an excellent job of interacting with ABC people, so a driver’s ability to do that is a consideration, for sure. But having our cars regularly running up front is what it’s all about.”
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