By Brian Bielanski
(RacingWire) – A.J. Foyt Racing announced Tuesday it will field cars powered by Honda in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.
Honda Performance Development (HPD) will provide the teams with its new turbocharged 2.2 liter Honda Indy V-6 engine for of Foyt's entries in the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series.
A.J. Foyt Racing joins Chip Ganassi Racing as the second team to commit to race with Honda power in 2012. Honda has been the only provider of engines for the IndyCar Series since 2006.
“I am really looking forward to working with Honda next year,” commented A.J. Foyt, whose number 14 car will again be sponsored by ABC Supply in 2012. “I think they will provide us with the best engines in 2012 because they have the best resources … their facility in California is unbelievable. I was very impressed!
“A.J. Foyt is a living legend in American racing, and it’s an honor to announce the continuation of our association in the IZOD IndyCar Series,” said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development and vice president, corporate planning and logistics, for American Honda.
“A.J. shares many traits with Soichiro Honda, the founder of our company. Passionate, dedicated men, their names became synonymous with racing in their native lands, and each has served as a symbol of his country’s passion for motorsport around the world. Today, we consider A.J. to be a venerable member of the Honda ‘family,’ and we look forward to our continued association with both the man and his team.”
The 76-year-old Foyt is a five-time winner of the Indianapolis 500; four times as a driver and once as a car owner. A.J Foyt Racing is owned by Foyt and the team is managed by his son Larry.
“We are thrilled to be working with Honda Performance Development again next year,” added Team Director Larry Foyt. “They are such a professional organization and we really like being part of the Honda family. They promote a culture of winning, and as we continue to grow as a team, we believe that they can help us move forward to reach that common goal. “
