May 15, 1993 -- Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- and A.J. Foyt cruised around the 2.5-mile oval at 221.114 mph in advance of qualifications.

The 35-time starter and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner then saw the yellow caution flag and he learned that Robby Gordon had made contact with the wall. He drove into the pit stall, climbed from the familiar No. 14 car and walked to the garage on Gasoline Alley with tears in his eyes.

Foyt informed Lou Bantle, chairman of the board of U.S. Tobacco and the primary sponsor of the team, that it was time to call it quits. Tony George, president of the Speedway, arranged for a ceremonial lap to a thunderous ovation.

"The green (light) had just gone on and I was thinking, 'A.J., you could be in the race easy,' when I saw the yellow light. I knew there had been an accident. When I saw it was my driver, it hit me," Foyt said that day. "Believe me, this wasn't a planned deal. It all went off in about 10 minutes -- bang, bang, bang, bang. All my life, I've done things on the spur of the moment, so this was the real A.J."

Foyt remains instrumental in Indy car racing with his team, A.J. Foyt Racing, and will be trackside for the 97th Running of the 500 Mile Race on May 26.