Foyt Racing Tests Driver and Sponsors at MSR Houston

Vitor Meira

A.J. Foyt Racing had a busy day down at MSR Houston testing both its new driver, Vitor Meira, and its sponsor ABC Supply.

The day started out with six ABC Supply guests testing an old IndyCar. The oval car was retrofitted to drive on a road course. A section of the 2.38 mile road course was coned off to create a small oval-like course. The guests then took turns making runs of five and ten laps each.

"Today was great," A.J. Foyt said. "The ABC guys had a lot of fun and the weather was just perfect."

After the ride of a lifetime, Meira went out to show the guys how it's really done. Foyt made sure to point out how much better the professional was at driving, bringing out a laugh in everyone.

"See how he gets on the gas there?" Foyt asked the ABC Supply guests, "That's how it's supposed to be done."

Meira tested the car that was prepped for the upcoming race through the streets of Surfers Paradise in Australia.

"We just wanted to shake down the car," Meira said, "We actually have the Surfers' setup on the car, and we just wanted to get a feel for it. This gives us something to start with when we get on the other side of the world."

"We accomplished what we came out to do," Foyt said. "I won't be going down there though. It's too long of a trip for me, and I've been there five or six times before."

Today was Meira's first trip to the facility, not that it showed.

"I think he did a good job for not ever being here before," Foyt said. "His times got down pretty quick in the few laps he ran here."

"The track is good," Meira said. "It was a little green, with the hurricane and rain, but it's good. I like the track, and if it's up to me I'd like to come back, many times if possible."

Meira was hired by A.J. Foyt Racing in late September to replace Darren Manning. Meira previously raced for Panther Racing during the 2008 season finishing 13th in the overall standings with a best finish of second in the Indianapolis 500.

"Working for A.J., is always good," Meira said. "I have a lot to learn, but the first thing you learn is that you gotta push. You gotta push all the time with him."

"That's what I try to do when I'm in and out of the car," he continued. "It's too good of a job to take for granted. You have to try to be your best everyday, and you have to try and beat your best everyday cause that's how you are going to improve."

Catch the live race coverage at 10:30 p.m., October 25 on ESPN Classic as A.J. Foyt Racing and 23 other IndyCar Series teams race live down under. A rebroadcast of the race can be seen on ESPN2 at 11 p.m., October 26.