AJ Foyt talks about almost getting shot in Brazil

AJ Foyt can laugh now

We headed to the airport about an hour after the race ended. I watched our van driver miss–by inches–a couple on a moped that crossed in front of us to exit the highway. How he missed them, I don’t know. More memorable was the traffic jam caused by a police roadblock a few miles later.

Our interpreter rolled down her window and said something to the policeman (I have no idea what). He then jerked open the big passenger door and I was staring at an Uzi! Yeah, a submachine gun! I didn’t know what to think but I positioned myself to be ready to get one kick in if this guy did anything funny (yep, pretty sure it would have been my last kick). He looked around at everyone, slammed the door shut and waved us on. Our interpreter said it happens about once a month but that was a first for me! I like Brazil but I was glad when we got back on the jet and headed home.