In the wake of Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay’s death, one of his daughters will take on special roles for the Indy 500 this weekend. Irsay’s daughter, Casey Irsay Foyt, will serve as honorary starters this Sunday.
Jim Irsay died earlier this week at the age of 65. The Colts’ owner and CEO was a well-known and recognizable figure in the NFL. His father, Robert Irsay, bought the franchise in 1972 when it was still in Baltimore. Over the years, Jim’s duties and responsibilities increased.
With how much Irsay meant to Indianapolis and his daughter’s husband being A.J. Foyt IV, this is a fitting tribute for the late NFL team owner. Casey will have honorary starter duties for the Indianapolis 500.
Casey Irsay-Foyt and A.J. Foyt IV are quite the Indianapolis power couple. As part of the 109th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, Jim Irsay will be on the minds of many of the Hoosiers in the stands.
The Colts released a statement following the death of Irsay this week. It showed just how much he meant to the organization.
“Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” the Colts said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Charlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”
Kyle Larson racing Indianapolis 500, Coke 600 Double
This weekend is a busy one for Kyle Larson. Crew chief Cliff Daniels can only control what he can control, but he’s confident. After all, he has the NASCAR points leader in his car, regardless of what happens at Indianapolis in IndyCar.
The goal this season for Kyle Larson in the Double is to complete 1100 miles, simple. Only Tony Stewart has been able to achieve that feat while attempting the Double. Of course, Stewart’s 2001 attempt resulted in a P6 Indy 500 finish and P3 Coke 600 finish.
Cliff Daniels knows that racing is what Larson does. Whether it is midweek dirt races or the Indy 500, it doesn’t matter. Daniels remains confident in his driver and his preparation.
“Any time he’s in a racecar, I feel good about his preparation,” Daniels told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports at Indianapolis. “We’re used to being flexible and going with the ebb and flow of his racing schedule. When he runs more midweek races, typically, it helps us. Obviously, in this case, it’s not a midweek race, but anytime he’s in a race car, he’s always learning, giving feedback, interacting with teams, all that. So, uh, it’s odd to say probably, that him doing other things actually helps us in the Cup car, but it really does.”
More must-reads: