Foyt recovering from hip replacement surgery

IZOD IndyCar Series team owner A.J. Foyt, who has not been to a race since the Ft. Worth event on June 8, underwent successful hip replacement surgery on his left hip July 1 in a Houston hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Foyt had been battling pain in his left leg for most of the year. In April, he underwent a laminectomy in the lumbar region of his spine to relieve sciatic nerve pain. He had missed two races (Alabama and Long Beach, Calif.) prior to that surgery as well as the one in Sao Paulo, Brazil immediately after it.

The chronic leg pain increased dramatically after he fell while working on his ranch before the Texas race. He had consulted with several doctors before agreeing to the most recent surgery.

"I was a little nervous about this surgery but they had me up and walking the same day. I'm sore but nothing like I was before the surgery. I guess I waited too long to have it done though because my hip was in really bad shape. They couldn't believe I was walking at all," said Foyt, who was in good spirits. "The doctors tell me it will be six to eight weeks before I can travel."

Foyt will be in the hospital for several days. He plans to watch Takuma Sato and his ABC Supply Racing team compete at Pocono Raceway this Sunday.