Past champs throw barbs at each other
By Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Expect the unexpected when Daytona 500 champions from different eras get together.
Thursday's promotion for next year's 50th running of the Great American Race brought a roomful of former winners to Daytona International Speedway, including open-wheel stars A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti.
Once bitter rivals, the two former Indianapolis 500 champions posed for photos together and engaged in lively banter with four-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon, who was sitting at a nearby table answering questions from the media when a burst of laughter interrupted his answer.
"Somebody asked us if you could have competed with us in our day," Foyt shouted to Gordon from the adjacent table. "I said, 'Sure, he could,' but Mario said, 'No way!' "
"You guys would have been hard to hang with," Gordon retorted. "But it's more off the track that I'd have trouble."
By Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Expect the unexpected when Daytona 500 champions from different eras get together.
Thursday's promotion for next year's 50th running of the Great American Race brought a roomful of former winners to Daytona International Speedway, including open-wheel stars A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti.
Once bitter rivals, the two former Indianapolis 500 champions posed for photos together and engaged in lively banter with four-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon, who was sitting at a nearby table answering questions from the media when a burst of laughter interrupted his answer.
"Somebody asked us if you could have competed with us in our day," Foyt shouted to Gordon from the adjacent table. "I said, 'Sure, he could,' but Mario said, 'No way!' "
"You guys would have been hard to hang with," Gordon retorted. "But it's more off the track that I'd have trouble."