
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 7, 1991                   TAG: 9104070143
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS                                LENGTH: Short

FOYT RARING TO GO

Challenges are nothing new to A.J. Foyt, and the auto racing great said Saturday he's ready to confront another one this Indy-car season after mangling his legs and feet in a crash last year.

"I've made up my mind that I'm going to accept the challenge," the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner said at a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I've had challenges before. I like challenges."

Foyt confirmed he'll be seeking a fifth trip to Victory Lane by participating in his 34th 500. He practiced on the 2 1/2-mile oval Friday and Saturday and is scheduled to go again today.

Seven months ago, the brakes on Foyt's car failed at Elkhart Lake, Wis., and it slammed into an earthen embankment, breaking in two pieces. The accident shattered Foyt's legs and raised questions whether his storied career had finally come to a close.

Foyt walked gingerly to the podium at the media room in Gasoline Alley on Saturday, but quickly put to rest any doubts whether he would be back in May.

"I'm coming back and I think that when May gets here we'll be in good shape," Foyt said. He said he wanted to run in this year's 500 "for my own satisfaction. I don't want to go out of this game a dead cripple."

Foyt, 56, has two 1991 Lola-Chevrolets entered in the race.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB