A.J., You're Amazing

Ten years after winning his third Indy 500, Foyt was back in Victory Lane, and in sole possession of the Speedway's career win record

Issue date: June 6, 1977

Last Sunday A. J. Foyt accomplished something he has been obsessed with for a decade—he won his fourth Indianapolis 500. In the race's runnings no one else has won four Indys, so Foyt has carved himself in his garage. He will have to settle for making history only once this year at Indianapolis, which doesn't seem like such a hard thing at all.

It was for A.J. alone that the crowd clamored when the 61st 500 was over.    (Heinz Kluetmeier)

Certainly not when you consider Gordon Johncock, who during tire testing in March was the first man to unofficially lap the Speedway at 200. Johncock's disappointment also was focused on one particular lap, a race lap. however: the 185th. After leading 128 of 184 laps in this year's 500 in his Wildcat-DGS, with his final pit stop out of the way and a four second lead over Foyt, Johncock rounded Turn Four and kissed his second Indy victory goodbye because of a broken valve spring. He coasted to a stop at Turn One, watched the final few laps from the pit wall and, as A.J. was wheeled into Victory Lane, Johncock waved him a salute of recognition and respect.

Said Foyt, "I read in the paper this morning that Gordy was supposed to have said he was going to hold back and wait for me and Al Unser to break. The day Gordy starts lying back for somebody to break, I'll retire from racing. Gordy's not that kind of driver. It was dog eat dog all day. I wasn't wishing him bad luck cause I'd have liked to race him to the end, but I guess the good Lord wanted a true four-time 500-mile winner."

FOYT WINS INDY: 1961 | 1964 | 1967
ALSO: What Ever Happened to Indy?