A.J. Foyt released from hospital after heart surgery complications
A.J. Foyt was released from a Houston hospital after the motor-racing legend suffered “serious complications” from triple-bypass heart surgery Nov. 12, his team said Thursday.
Foyt, 79, “developed serious complications with his lungs” after the surgery and was kept on a ventilator for eight days “to allow his lungs to recover full functionality,” A.J. Foyt Racing said.
The 25-day stay at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center -- which began when Foyt was admitted Nov. 7 with chest pains -- was the longest ever for Foyt, who has suffered a variety of physical problems over the years.
“It’s been pretty rough but I guess I slept through the roughest part,” Foyt said in a statement. “I’ve got a long way to go but I’m feeling better every day.”
One of three drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, Foyt’s team competes in the Verizon IndyCar Series with drivers Takuma Sato and, starting next year, Jack Hawksworth. The team’s manager is Foyt’s son Larry.
A Houston native known as “Super Tex,” Foyt last year underwent back surgery and had his left hip and right knee replaced. And two years ago, he had a serious staph infection after surgery to remove bone spurs in his artificial left knee.
During his illustrious driving career, Foyt also won NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
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