IndyCar won’t have an A.J. or Mario again

Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt

Question: Hard to believe Mario Andretti turned 75 last week and A.J. Foyt turned 80 in January. Both are arguably the two greatest drivers of all time but the way racing is today do you think we'll ever see their types again or the likes of their greatness? (Dave, Cincinnati)

Answer: There might be drivers who approach their records, but I can't imagine a scenario where another IndyCar driver transcends the sport as Mario and A.J. did. Of course, those two raced in a different, simpler era, sort of like boxers did. There weren't all the other sports and distractions to divide the attention, and that was an era when the automobile was so important to young people. But their combination of success, charisma and star power made them icons the likes of which the sport will never see again. As for the part about records, did you realize that Scott Dixon already has 35 race wins, and he's not yet 35 years old? At his current rate he'll catch Mario (52 wins) for second place before he's 41. Mario raced until he was 54. Foyt holds the record with 67 wins. Curt Cavin/Indy Star