Al Unser Jr. will attempt to make his 19th start in the Indianapolis 500 driving a car owned by A.J. Foyt.
The 45-year-old Unser won the 500 in 1992 and '94, didn't race at Indy from '95 to '99 because of the CART-Indy Racing League conflict and returned with modest success from '00 to '04. Unser retired in June of '04, only emerging to compete last year in the 500.
But Foyt believes Unser still has what it takes to take the checkered flag, despite the fact that he went out in a crash after completing 145 laps last year.
"I think he's a great driver," Foyt said. "I think he's a race driver that's going to win the race for us. That's what we're all working toward this year. We're trying to turn the team around with (regular driver) Darren [Manning] and him both. I don't know who else I could have found that would be better than Al because I've known him since he ran little midgets and sprints and all that stuff. He's a hell of a racer.
"I've known him through his whole racing career. We've always been great friends. When I heard he was open, I was pretty excited about getting him in our second car."
The family ties between Foyt and the Unser family are extensive. In Al Unser Sr.'s first Indy in '65, he drove a car owned by Foyt. Unser had gone to Indy driving for a team with a car that wasn't fast enough to make the race and Foyt put him in his backup. Unser Sr. finished ninth.
Unser went out in a crash after completing 145 laps last year.
"It didn't end up the way we wanted it to, but we sure did have a great time," Unser said. When A.J. called, it was a great opportunity. I'm very excited about driving for A.J."
Indianapolis has struggled to reach the traditional field of 33 starters in recent years, but it appears there will be more than 33 attempting to qualify in '07.
There were 21 cars at Kansas Speedway for the IndyCar Series race last Sunday and they're all entered at Indy, leaving 12 openings.
Jaques Lazier and rookie Phil Giebler have been hired by Playa del Racing. Roger Yasukawa is expected to be in a third car from Dreyer & Reinbold and Townsend Bell in a fourth car with Vision. P.J. Chesson is the top candidate for Panther Racing's third entry.
With seven Indy-only drivers (Michael Andretti, Ryan Briscoe, John Herb, Marty Roth, Stephan Gregoire, Buddy Lazier and P.J. Jones) already announced, it brings the total to 33 with several seats (Hemelgarn, PDM and a third entry from Foyt) available.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens Sunday with rookie orientation. Practice begins Tuesday and Pole Day is next Saturday, May 12.
The 45-year-old Unser won the 500 in 1992 and '94, didn't race at Indy from '95 to '99 because of the CART-Indy Racing League conflict and returned with modest success from '00 to '04. Unser retired in June of '04, only emerging to compete last year in the 500.
But Foyt believes Unser still has what it takes to take the checkered flag, despite the fact that he went out in a crash after completing 145 laps last year.
"I think he's a great driver," Foyt said. "I think he's a race driver that's going to win the race for us. That's what we're all working toward this year. We're trying to turn the team around with (regular driver) Darren [Manning] and him both. I don't know who else I could have found that would be better than Al because I've known him since he ran little midgets and sprints and all that stuff. He's a hell of a racer.
"I've known him through his whole racing career. We've always been great friends. When I heard he was open, I was pretty excited about getting him in our second car."
The family ties between Foyt and the Unser family are extensive. In Al Unser Sr.'s first Indy in '65, he drove a car owned by Foyt. Unser had gone to Indy driving for a team with a car that wasn't fast enough to make the race and Foyt put him in his backup. Unser Sr. finished ninth.
Unser went out in a crash after completing 145 laps last year.
"It didn't end up the way we wanted it to, but we sure did have a great time," Unser said. When A.J. called, it was a great opportunity. I'm very excited about driving for A.J."
Indianapolis has struggled to reach the traditional field of 33 starters in recent years, but it appears there will be more than 33 attempting to qualify in '07.
There were 21 cars at Kansas Speedway for the IndyCar Series race last Sunday and they're all entered at Indy, leaving 12 openings.
Jaques Lazier and rookie Phil Giebler have been hired by Playa del Racing. Roger Yasukawa is expected to be in a third car from Dreyer & Reinbold and Townsend Bell in a fourth car with Vision. P.J. Chesson is the top candidate for Panther Racing's third entry.
With seven Indy-only drivers (Michael Andretti, Ryan Briscoe, John Herb, Marty Roth, Stephan Gregoire, Buddy Lazier and P.J. Jones) already announced, it brings the total to 33 with several seats (Hemelgarn, PDM and a third entry from Foyt) available.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens Sunday with rookie orientation. Practice begins Tuesday and Pole Day is next Saturday, May 12.
