A.J. Foyt - Indy 500 Qualifications - 1987

[rdadal]

First saw A.J. Foyt at The Milwaukee Mile. Spun in both laps of qualifying. Then, he spun in the Consi race. Did not make the main feature for the roadsters. I would have never thought he woud become the greatest driver of all time.

[rdadal]

I was fortunate to see Mr. A.J. Foyt in Indy Cars, stock cars, and midgets. The all time greatest driver.

[1more4theroad]

Great video! Same vantage point I had at this year's race. I miss how one could see going into the short chute from turn one. Now it's all cut off from the stands and boxes.

[doctorindy]

Pole day in 1987 was an odd affair. Nearly everyone was struggling. It was hot and breezy, and only 11 cars completed runs. most of them were the older veterans.

Foyt put his car in 4th starting position. Unfortunately he wrecked the car on Carb Day, and they had to piece it back together before the race. He was never a factor on race day.

[rdadal]

For 33 drivers, it has always "meant something."

[PinkRob0t]

There were times when it meant something to even more drivers then just the 33 who made the field. Would there even have been 33 starters this year if it had not been for the 'merger' ?

[rdadal]

It has always "meant something" to 33 drivers every year.

[ljostarter]

Well yeah, but they've been pretty much guaranteed a spot. A.J. was never guaranteed a starting spot in the 35 years he raced at Indianapolis. In his day, there were many racing teams flocking to Speedway every May just hoping at getting one of the 33 spots. There would be so many competitors, that the old garage area would be packed and probably some teams were outside of the garage area.

Qualifying actually took two weekends because there were so many cars to filter out as the fastest 33

[PinkRob0t]

Back when Indianapolis quakifying still meant something. Gives me goosebumps watching this, thanks so much for uploading.