A ‘New Nige’? Foster focused on becoming next British IndyCar star
Louis Foster starts his IndyCar journey this weekend in St Petersburg – can he emulate other British heroes like Nigel Mansell and Dan Wheldon?
Not since Scott Dixon in 2008 has there been a first-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. Owner/driver Ed Carpenter, rookie Carlos Muñoz and Marco Andretti make up the surprising front row for Sunday’s race with only four IndyCar series wins between them.
30 years ago this May Tom Sneva came to Indianapolis with considerably more success behind him. Already an eight-time race winner and champion in 1977 and ’78, ‘The Gas Man’ was always blisteringly fast. He started from pole at Indy in both of his championship years, becoming the first man to qualify at a speed exceeding 200mph in ’77. In both races he finished second, to AJ Foyt and Al Unser respectively. In 1980 he became the only driver to lead after starting last, but again he finished second, this time to Johnny Rutherford.
By 1983 Sneva was already one of the era’s greats, but he still didn’t have his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy. The video below shows how he beat Teo Fabi and Al Unsers Sr and Jr to the win that had eluded him for nine years.
Louis Foster starts his IndyCar journey this weekend in St Petersburg – can he emulate other British heroes like Nigel Mansell and Dan Wheldon?
Myles Rowe has rocketed through IndyCar's junior ladder with a story like no other – he tells James Elson why this upcoming year is more important than ever
Drive to Survive star Will Buxton has made the jump across the Atlantic to front Fox's new IndyCar coverage – he explained to James Elson why he thinks the championship is the most exciting series out there
Jackie Stewart's Lola-Ford IndyCar that failed laps from victory in the 1966 Indy 500 was the star lot in a 16-car auction, selling for $715,000