Larry
Foyt
Hey Everyone! I'm glad to be here tonight! Let's start taking your questions
and get this party started!
ColleenMarie
Do you know when your fan club will get going? I'm already signed up.
:o)
Larry Foyt
I just sent a letter out explaining what happened. I had hired a company
to run it for me and I found out they weren't taking care of my fans.
So I've taken it over personally. I apologize to everyone and you should
be getting the letter soon. No one has been charged and there are details
about all of that in the letter.
Kim
How do rain delays/postponements affect a driver's state of mind and
preparedness?
Larry Foyt
It would be a good break if you really need to go to the bathroom. Just
kidding. I think it can be, it just depends. I've not had too many times
in my career where it has affected me too much. When you go back to
the start of the race, you are just completely focused again. As a driver
you get used to it.
LarryFoyt_Fan
Do you think having a new crew chief is helping you any?
Larry Foyt
Yeah. It has definitely has helped. We were in a deep hole to begin
with.
ColleenMarie
Hey Larry! How is your dog Emma doing? She is so cute.
Larry Foyt
Unfortunately, I don't have Emma anymore. It was unfair to her because
I travel too much. I found a good home for her so she's really happy
now.
Racelady
Chat tradition Larry-what is your favorite ice cream?
Larry Foyt
Coffee Ice Cream. I love Hagen Dagz coffee ice cream and chocolate.
Kim
What was the biggest challenge of being an owner/driver in the Busch
Series?
Larry Foyt
Probably sitting in the car wanting to put on new tires and know you
can't afford it. The hardest is dealing with people. As a driver traveling
with the team you get so close to the guys. In situations where you
should have let someone go and you didn't because you’re so close
to that person. That's probably the hardest owner/driver situation.
Larry's Stalker
Hi Larry, Its your favorite Stalker! LOL...I’m disappointed I
didn’t get to see you this year. Hopefully I will get the chance
next year. Are you still going to be in the same car? Or do I need to
start making some new clothes?
Larry Foyt
I can't quite answer that one yet.
Shannon6fan17
Larry, What is your favorite track to race at?
Larry Foyt
Definitely, Indy. That track means so much to me and my family. To race
on it was a childhood dream. I've been to every 500 since I've been
born. Other than that, Texas is kinda my hometown track and I like the
tradition of Daytona.
FoxyRoxy14
Hey Larry! Have you ever participated in dirt track racing?
Larry Foyt
Not really. One time I drove a go-kart on dirt. I finished 2nd. My dad
didn't really want me in racing so he kept me out of sprints and midgets.
Racelady
How difficult is it for you to be sidelined by injuries?
Larry Foyt
It's tough. It's always hard to be sitting on the sidelines because
you want to be out there. It's hard because you hate seeing someone
else in your car. For me it was a good thing because it made my dad
see that there was something wrong with the equipment. So it helped
open my dad's eyes. So it turned out to be a good thing.
ehsknight
EHS Knights Rule!
Larry Foyt
Yeah they do rule!
Kim
How much did running a season in the ASA Series help prepare you for
Winston Cup competition?
Larry Foyt
I wish I could have run more in ASA because I really hadn't raced on
a short track before that. Where as a lot of guys I'm racing grew up
with late models. It's so different from open wheel. I really enjoyed
ASA and wish I could have done another year; however, the sponsor was
ready to move up.
Shannon6fan17
What is the hardest part of your rookie year?
Larry Foyt
Qualifying. LOL It's just to be a rookie and being on a single car team.
Not having the information to draw from and not going to the wind tunnel.
Not having the luxury of the resources. It hasn't made me look good
as a driver, so I'm hoping to have a chance to prove the critics wrong.
:)
Larry's Stalker
Larry, Since we couldn’t find any of your stuff this year, next
year are you going to have merchandise at the track?
Larry Foyt
Can't answer that one yet. I'm not sure.
ColleenMarie
Have you been getting a lot of fan emails from the Cosmo site?
Larry Foyt
LOL! Yeah, I actually have. It's been great. I've gotten letters from
NASCAR fans all over the world. I'm trying to respond to them as fast
as I can. It's been a really cool deal.
Kim
Do you have any prerace rituals? Are you superstitious?
Larry Foyt
I probably kind of am. I don't wear any green around the track. I like
to be alone before the race when I'm getting ready. That's when I get
focused. Because when you walk out you meet a lot of people. So I like
to focus before hand and get my game plan ready.
Racelady
Larry-I had the chance to meet you at KC and was very impressed at how
long you stayed and signed at the Harrah's fan fest. What is the craziest
thing you've ever been asked to sign by a fan?
Larry Foyt
Probably, I signed a guy’s artificial arm once.
Nikki
Have you guys ever talked about maybe running some BGN races next year,
along with Cup, to give you some experience?
Larry Foyt
I would love to do that if we had the funding. Unfortunately, today
it all comes down to sponsors and money. You can't do it all without
money. So that left me doing cup only.
ColleenMarie
How has your college education helped with the business aspect of racing?
Larry Foyt
I'd say the biggest thing it has helped me with is the media. My communication
degree has helped me feel comfortable doing interviews. On the business
side, I think it would have helped me more if I wasn't working for my
dad. My dad is an old school businessman and we disagree on quite a
few things. At the end of the day, I'm glad I went to college but at
the same time, I'm catching up with my experience on the track.
Shannon6fan17
Larry, What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Larry Foyt
I'd say something that relaxes me the most is riding my Harley. I really
like riding. I like playing video games when I have the chance.
Larry Foyt
I also watch a lot of movies.
ehsknight
Why didn't you take your shirt off for the Cosmo shoot?
Larry Foyt
I was a little shy for that. I'm not quite in the shape I should be
for that.
LarryFoyt_Fan
Do you remember the girl who nominated you for Cosmopolitan?
Larry Foyt
Of course I do. She's been one of my biggest supporters.
Kim
Did you ever wear braces on you teeth? They are so perfect!
Larry Foyt
I did wear braces but didn't wear my retainer. So they could have been
even more perfect if I had been a good boy and worn my retainer. I don't
like my teeth they're too big.
Larry's Stalker
Larry, speaking of the FC I haven’t heard ANYTHING since the letter
last year apologizing for not getting the stuff out. I sent in my thing
saying I was still interested. Should I call to make sure you sill have
my name?
Larry Foyt
Yeah, please do. The company was supposed to transition all of the information
and I'm not sure if they did.
ash
How do you feel about the no racing back to the caution rule? Good luck
this weekend.
Larry Foyt
I think it is good and bad. I think it is good because it is a lot safer.
On the same end, I think it takes some of the excitement away because
maybe a guy had a good car and had a flat tire and got stuck a lap down.
However, I think safety is the most important thing. It's something
I'm used to from Open wheel. I'm not a big fan of the lucky dog rule
because it doesn't make much sense to me.
Guest
I see a lot of internal changes with drivers & crew. I've seen different
car models used at times and even different car numbers this season.
With the frequent inconsistencies, I'm wondering how the Foyt NASCAR
program is addressing the problems and in what order.
Larry Foyt
I think the inconsistencies is one of the major reasons the team has
struggled for the last 4 seasons. It's been difficult to build any type
of chemistry there. I haven't always agreed with it but my father has
had to make changes to make sponsors happy. I think it has hurt that
my father isn't always at our race shop because he's also running the
Indy car team. A car is a car it's a piece of metal. What makes it go
fast is the people building the cars. That's our biggest thing right
now is we're trying to find the right chemistry for the team.
Guest
Have you ever asked Schrader to take you to peavely?
Larry Foyt
No I haven't, but I did ask him to show me the way around Phoenix next
week before we qualify. So he can show me the way around there in a
stock car.
ColleenMarie
How has your father influenced and helped your racing career?
Larry Foyt
With out him, I wouldn't have a racing career. That's how I learned
about racing was through him even though he didn't take me to the track.
He did take me to Indy every year and that was a big influence to me.
Once he saw my dedication he has helped out a lot.
Shannon6fan17
Larry, would you like to race open wheel?
Larry Foyt
It's been tough lately because I've seen guys like Kenny Brack have
that horrific accident and Tony Renna get killed last week. I was talking
to a friend of mine, Robby Gordon, because he used to drive open wheel
cars. He said he didn't miss it. I'm really happy in NASCAR, but I definitely
still want to run Indy. And I may be in the position where I can do
that next May.
Racelady
I read that your secret wish is to be a winning F-1 driver. Entertaining
the idea of making that a reality one day?
Larry Foyt
Yeah, but have you seen how much they get paid? Probably no chance there.
As a racecar driver, with the technology those cars have to be amazing
to drive. Jeff Gordon is a lucky dog.
Guest
When you were in Martinsville our pic made several newspapers. Is there
a place I could send you some copies?
Larry Foyt
Sure, send it to the shop. I'm there everyday. 128 Commercial Drive,
Mooresville, NC 28115.
LarryFoyt_Fan
What kind of personal car do you drive Larry?
Larry Foyt
I don't have a personal car. I drive the shop van. A 16 passenger white
van.
Larry's Stalker
what’s your favorite music?
Larry Foyt
I really do listen to all kinds of music. I listen to popular stuff
on the radio, John Mayer, Dido. Being from Texas, I love country. Toby
Keith, etc. I love oldies too. Emimen as well. I listen to everything
but metal.
Racelady
What drivers do you turn to for advice?
Larry Foyt
I've gone to quite a few. Probably one of the first guys I'll go to
is Ken Schrader. I got to Mike Skinner, Dale Jr., Ricky Craven and Jimmie
Johnson. They've always been real helpful.
Larry's Stalker
what’s your thought on how Nascar is fining guys for what they
say? I mean how do you know what’s gonna get you in trouble? If
they can say it on primetime why cant you?
Larry Foyt
I think there has got to be a line drawn somewhere. I agree it can be
exciting and fun to watch when guys get into scuffles. It's exciting
to watch but at the same time is that what racing is all about? As drivers
we are very competitive and sometimes let the emotions get the best
of us. We have so many kids that are NASCAR fans, so it doesn't send
a good message when we say something that is questionable. So we should
be able to hold our tongues when we start to say certain things because
there's such an audience that doesn't need to hear it.
RaceFan
Larry, it’s great the way you helped out with the Meals On Wheels
program. What kind of reaction did you get when you showed up in the
#14?
Larry Foyt
The most amazing experience of my life. It was so enjoyable doing the
meals on wheels program. Being a racecar diver with the competition
and the pressure we get so into our daily grind. I learned so much doing
meals on wheels. It was something that really touched me and I hope
that I do it for a long time. One of the greatest things I've ever done
and I really enjoyed it.
Guest
Are their any tracks that you would like to see added to the Nextel
Cup Series in the future?
Larry Foyt
I wish they would run KY. I really like that racetrack. Qualified 5th
there in BGN. I think it's a great track with great fans. They build
a really great facility.
Kim
When surfing the net, what are some of your favorite websites to hit?
Larry Foyt
I wish I had more time to surf. I'm usually answering emails when I'm
online. Everyone once in awhile I'll check out Jayski and Nascar.com
to see what's on there.
JW29
If you weren't involved in racing, what would you be doing?
Larry Foyt
Directing movies! When I went to college, I wanted to be a film major.
When AJ got my first report card he said he wasn't paying for me to
be a film major so that's why I became a communications major.
Kim
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Larry Foyt
Well, I hope I'm still racing. I also hope to still own my own team
because I still enjoy the business aspect of racing. The biggest thing
is I hope to have a family because I grew up in a great family atmosphere
and I really want to have that.
Larry's Stalker
Larry I saw somewhere that you were a bartender at one time....what
was the one thing people would order that would make you cringe everytime?
Larry Foyt
Any drink that had more than 4 ingredients in it that made me have to
have to remember what they were.
JW29
What is your take on the current points system -- To change, or not
to change?
Larry Foyt
I'm more concerned about the provisional system right now. They need
to fix the provisional system. When I get higher up in the points then
I'll worry about the points system.
FoxyRoxy14
do you like monster trucks?
Larry Foyt
I haven't been to a monster truck show since I was a kid but I'd love
to take a ride in Robby's (Gordon) off road truck.
Guest
Larry, do you have any tattoos or piercings? lol
Larry Foyt
I don't.
Guest
Larry speaking of your nominator. Your PR was supposed to send her stuff
and she never got it. are u still planning on sending stuff?
Larry Foyt
She can get whatever she wants. Just call the shop.
Guest
What kind of Harley do you have?
Larry Foyt
I have a V-Rod.
JW29
Each season teams are allowed to test at so many NASCAR speedways --
Which tracks does your team test at and why?
Larry Foyt
We were unable to use all of our tests because of budget reasons. But
we did test at Daytona and Dega, Martinsville for Mark Green and then
at Charlotte. We tried to test for some of the bigger races.
Nikki
I heard that you were most worried about how much the guys in the garage
would tease you about the Cosmo thing. Has it been as bad as you thought?
Larry Foyt
It's hasn't been too bad. I mean Harrah's wanted to put a Cosmo sticker
on my car, but I wouldn't let them do. I heard Tony Stewart has some
stuff to say to me but he hasn't caught up with me yet.
Jeff3
Which type of tracks are you most comfortable with...short tracks...super
speedways?
Larry Foyt
Probably super speedways and intermediates. Just because I've not done
that much short track racing. I like super speedways because if your
cars not the fastest you can draft and have fun drafting.
Jeff3
What are your thoughts on Goodyear going to a more " softer "
tire next year?
Larry Foyt
I think it's good because the way the tires are right now they don't
wear so much. I've got to believe they've got to be better because it
will put the racing more in the driver’s hands.
ColleenMarie
I hope you are feeling better. How are your kidneys and wrist doing?
Larry Foyt
Doing much better. I'm 95%. Kidneys are all good and wrist is still
a bit sore but I don't wear a brace anymore and doing whatever I want
with it.
Kim
What would be your dream sponsor?
Larry Foyt
Anyone with $15 million. I'm not picky. Harrah's is a great sponsor
because I do like gambling.
Kim
If you could tell everyone just one thing about you and your race team,
what would that be?
Larry Foyt
I would say that we've all given a lot more effort than it has shown.
I hate that this year is coming to a close because we have a great bunch
of guys. We're a tight knit group and have a good quality group of guys.
campbell
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Larry Foyt
I went on a fan trip to Jamaica the last couple of years and had a blast.
This year I’m going to spend new years in Spain with my mom and
nephew, AJ Foyt IV who drives our Indy car. And I'm going to visit my
ex-girlfriend that lives in London. At the end of the day, I just like
to go to the beach.
ColleenMarie
Do you have any appearances you know of?
Larry Foyt
I think I'm doing something in AZ this weekend, but I'm not sure when
or where it is off hand.
ColleenMarie
What are your plans for next season?
Larry Foyt
I can't say yet. I'm working on some stuff, but I have nothing confirmed.
ColleenMarie
I heard you planned to sell side panels for team money, any other plans
like that?
Larry Foyt
Harrah's only bought the hood and TV panel, but we were unable to sell
the rest of the sponsorship. And we have the same deal for next year
and we'd love to sell some more space.
Guest
Are you going to do anymore fan trips?
Larry Foyt
I don't have any to go on. I’ve heard they cancelled Jamaica so
hopefully next year they'll do it again.
Larry Foyt
Thanks everyone for asking questions. I hope to do this again real soon
and answer more of your questions. So if your questions didn't get answered
tonight, watch for the next chat!!! We'll be chatting soon.
Chat-Jill
Thanks to Larry Foyt for joining us tonight at Racers-chat.com and thanks
to all you fans for your GREAT questions!! Be sure to check back to
Racers-chat.com or sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming
chats!
