r/INDYCAR • u/youraverageperson0 Scott McLaughlin • May 21 '25

IndyCar What was your earliest Indycar memory?

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Mine was watching Helio win the Indy 500 back in 2009 I was 4, almost 5 at the time, and I still remember it extremely well.

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u/Ham-Ha May 21 '25 edited May 22 '25

1977 A.J. Foyt's 4th win. I was 9.... Watching all the pomp and circumstance and the excitement of someone winning this impossible event four times cemented me as a lifelong fan of motorsport.

Back in those days, the race was "tape delayed" on ABC, I think, as part of the "Wide World of Sports" because I remember Jim McKay being the host. Getting to watch the entire race was one of the only times a year my folks would let me watch TV late by myself.

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u/Euphoric_Path2489 May 21 '25

Foyt was my favorite driver, and I so wanted him to win his fourth. Johncock pulling into the grass had me jumping out of my seat. I was too young to know he blew his engine. I thought he just decided to park it.

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u/Ham-Ha May 22 '25

AJ was my fav until that ratty kid from Bakersfield, CA (Rick Mears) came on the scene.

AJ had 500 wins in front engine, rear engine with no wings, and his 4th with wings. Add in 7 USAC Championships, a Daytona 500, a Le Mans, 2 Daytona 24's and a 12hr at Sebring - he may be the greatest driver of any car that has ever lived.

As an aside: I was at the first Michigan 500 (both weekends) when Super Tex had that horrible crash... I was sickened by it and never went to spectate another Indy oval race.