Larry Foyt has partnered with David Tomasello, owner of a North Carolina-based apparel business, to form Foyt Racing L.L.C. The new team plans to field cars in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2006. Foyt and Tomasello are currently seeking sponsorship to fund the two-car team, although only car would compete on the entire circuit. The second car, to be driven by Foyt, would compete in a limited schedule. Foyts preparation in setting up the new team has kept him out of the cockpit for most of this season with the exception of a couple starts in ARCA and competing in the Indianapolis 500 for his father A.J. Foyt. It was in that race that the 28-year-old driver sustained an injury to his back when he spun and hit the wall in turn one. He was released from Methodist Hospital the day after the race and has since made a full recovery. The team will be based in Mooresville, N.C., in the same shop which formerly served A.J. Foyts NASCAR Nextel Cup team. Larry Foyt has experience running a Busch team which he did in 2001-2002 when he drove in the NASCAR Busch Series under the auspices of his father A.J. Young Foyts best start was fifth which he posted several times in 2001-02 and his best finish was eighth at Talladega Superspeedway in 2002.(Foyt Racing site)(10-20-2005)
UPDATE: Larry Foyt, co-owner of Foyt Racing, LLC., has hired Brian DeHart as the team’s general manager. “Having Brian join us is quite a compliment to my new team,” said Foyt. “He has the knowledge, experience and expertise to drive our team in the right direction. With so many other competitive opportunities presented to Brian, I am more than grateful that he chose to sign with us. In order for the team to meet our immediate goal of running an aggressive Busch Series schedule in 2006, while keeping in focus with our ultimate goal of competing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Brian will be a key ingredient to our success.” For over 13 years DeHart, 37, has played a key role in the NASCAR organization in the areas of competition and safety. After 10 seasons of being a Senior Inspector for the NASCAR Cup Series and midway thru his third year as the NASCAR Busch Series Director, DeHart stepped down to take time to evaluate his future. When the opportunity arose to work with young Foyt to build a brand new team, DeHart accepted the position after serious consideration. He is embracing the challenge with enthusiasm. “I am excited about the opportunity and potential that we have here to build a very competitive team that can win a championship one day,” said DeHart. “I am also very thankful for the opportunity that NASCAR and the France Family gave me while I was employed by them. “However, I am ready for the next challenge in my career and I thought long and hard about my return to the sport,” he continued. “It’ll be a challenge because we’re behind the eight ball right now but I believe I made the right decision. We have to lock down a primary sponsor, determine which manufacturer and engine program will fit our team, hire a crew chief and crew members and start building race cars. All of this has to fall in line with Foyt’s vision, the team’s goals, the sponsors’ desires and, of course, the fans’ support.” With several associate sponsors on board, Foyt Racing is currently pursuing a primary sponsor. DeHart, a native of Christiansburg, Va., is single and resides in Concord, N.C. Foyt Racing is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.(Foyt Racing PR)(10-21-2005)
