What’s in a name? Some times a lot of hassle

INDIANAPOLIS — Open-wheel icon A.J. Foyt Jr. is quick to admit the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway made his name.

Unfortunately, Foyt’s son, Larry, and grandson, Anthony IV, have to race here with it.

“That’s a pain in the butt, that name,” said Foyt, 69, the first four-time winner of the Indy 500 and owner of the cars Larry and Anthony will drive in today’s 88th edition of the big race. “I mean, it’s great to have it. It’s great to do what I did. But let’s face it, A.J. Foyt is not racing no more. The boys are. That’s their name, that ain’t my name. I just hope they have half what I had, and have half as much fun. That’s all I can say. All right?”

Foyt, of Houston, has been mother-henning his boys this month at the 2.5-mile IMS. Anthony, roundly criticized last year for being in over his head as an IRL IndyCar Series rookie, qualified 21st for his second Indy 500. Larry, whose career as driver of his father’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team has been stalled by lack of a primary sponsor, qualified 22nd for his open-wheel debut.

“I think it’s awesome that both of us are here,” said Anthony, 20-year-old son of Tony Foyt, A.J.’s eldest son. “Larry’s been wanting to do this race for a long time, and I’m glad he’s getting his shot. We’re having a lot of fun.”

Anthony, inaugural champion of the IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series in 2002, and the spitting image of a young A.J., has struggled in his brief IndyCar career. In 19 starts over two seasons, Anthony has yet to score either a top-five or top-10 finish or lead a lap. His best starting position has been 14th (twice), his best finish 11th (last year).

Open-wheel legends Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser, along with any number of motorsports journalists, have questioned whether Anthony belongs in this series. The elder Foyt has taken all such remarks as personal slaps upside the head.

“I could name you four or five guys who pulled a lot more stuff than Anthony did last year and nothing was ever said. You never read a word about it,” A.J. said. “Why? Because their name don’t mean nothing to the world. But any time it’s ‘A.J. Foyt,’ it means something. I’m still ticked about it. I told some of ‘em don’t even come around any more. Mario Andretti? I told him where he can go.”