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A.J. Foyt: Volume 1: Survivor, Champion, Legend
When A.J. Foyt was five years old, he challenged a professional racer to an impromptu match race . . . and won. From that moment on victory was expected, excellence assumed.
Anthony Joseph “A.J.” Foyt Jr. is one of the greatest race car drivers in history—some would argue the best—and he has the statistics to back it up. He was the first to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, he has the most wins in Indy car races and championships of any driver, and he still holds the world closed-course speed record that he set more than thirty-five years ago.
Numbers alone can’t begin to tell Foyt’s story. Through tireless research and extensive interviews with the biggest names in motorsports, author Art Garner has compiled an unprecedented look at the life and career of one of America’s most popular sports heroes.
The book captures Foyt’s journey from a cocky five-year-old to a brash competitor and offers fresh insight and details about the battles off and on the track that defined one of America’s biggest personalities. Every moment is captured, from Foyt’s unbridled comments about what it truly takes to be at the top of your game, his propensity to stuff journalists he didn’t like into garbage cans, and the long list of people he simply punched in the mouth.
Anthony Joseph “A.J.” Foyt Jr. is one of the greatest race car drivers in history—some would argue the best—and he has the statistics to back it up. He was the first to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, he has the most wins in Indy car races and championships of any driver, and he still holds the world closed-course speed record that he set more than thirty-five years ago.
Numbers alone can’t begin to tell Foyt’s story. Through tireless research and extensive interviews with the biggest names in motorsports, author Art Garner has compiled an unprecedented look at the life and career of one of America’s most popular sports heroes.
The book captures Foyt’s journey from a cocky five-year-old to a brash competitor and offers fresh insight and details about the battles off and on the track that defined one of America’s biggest personalities. Every moment is captured, from Foyt’s unbridled comments about what it truly takes to be at the top of your game, his propensity to stuff journalists he didn’t like into garbage cans, and the long list of people he simply punched in the mouth.
Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 15, 2026
Like the middle laps of a 500-mile race, you’re tempted to duck out for some shade and refreshment during sections of this 600-page epic. That Art Garner’s exhaustively researched biography of America’s greatest race driver ends with A.J. Foyt’s fourth Indy 500 victory— fully 16 years before his retirement — tells you all you need to know: It is rich in detail, almost to the point of tedium.
The book is, in fact, merely the first volume in what apparently will be a two-part biography. If Garner cranks out 600 more pages on Foyt’s later years as a driver and more than three succeeding decades as a team owner, we’re in for a lot more work.
Having said that, Volume 1 is a richly rewarding journey through Foyt’s legendary life. It appears that Garner researched and describes almost every race Foyt ever participated in. That’s saying a lot: From the time he started racing as a child, A.J. participated in thousands of races. At the height of his career in the rough-and-tumble world of American racing in the 1950s through the 1970s, it wasn’t unusual for him and other drivers to run multiple races a week, even in the off-season. Most of those, I’d wager, are mentioned here.
And that is what created the legend. Foyt took on all comers on all kinds of tracks in all kinds of cars in every racing series. And he won. A lot. His mark of 67 wins in the various iterations of the IndyCar series feels as untouchable as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. He also won midget, dirt and stock car races by the score. And he won at the top level of sports-car racing at LeMans and Daytona.
Garner’s descriptions of these victories — and some stunning failures — will satisfy Foyt aficionados. Others may struggle with the level of detail.
This is not a fawning biography. Foyt’s legendary churlishness gets clear-eyed treatment, and the portrait is at times very unflattering.
The book is, however, a riveting look at a fascinating figure whose influence in racing is still felt today as Foyt, as of this writing in January 2026, turns 91 years old.
The book is, in fact, merely the first volume in what apparently will be a two-part biography. If Garner cranks out 600 more pages on Foyt’s later years as a driver and more than three succeeding decades as a team owner, we’re in for a lot more work.
Having said that, Volume 1 is a richly rewarding journey through Foyt’s legendary life. It appears that Garner researched and describes almost every race Foyt ever participated in. That’s saying a lot: From the time he started racing as a child, A.J. participated in thousands of races. At the height of his career in the rough-and-tumble world of American racing in the 1950s through the 1970s, it wasn’t unusual for him and other drivers to run multiple races a week, even in the off-season. Most of those, I’d wager, are mentioned here.
And that is what created the legend. Foyt took on all comers on all kinds of tracks in all kinds of cars in every racing series. And he won. A lot. His mark of 67 wins in the various iterations of the IndyCar series feels as untouchable as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. He also won midget, dirt and stock car races by the score. And he won at the top level of sports-car racing at LeMans and Daytona.
Garner’s descriptions of these victories — and some stunning failures — will satisfy Foyt aficionados. Others may struggle with the level of detail.
This is not a fawning biography. Foyt’s legendary churlishness gets clear-eyed treatment, and the portrait is at times very unflattering.
The book is, however, a riveting look at a fascinating figure whose influence in racing is still felt today as Foyt, as of this writing in January 2026, turns 91 years old.
Displaying 1 of 1 review