Evernham not ready to give up on Foyt IV
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Ray Evernham said he is perplexed by but has not soured on development driver A.J. Foyt IV.
The grandson of the legendary racer recently lost his ride after struggling in the first eight races and seeing his Akins Motorsports team merge with Braun Racing and switch to Chevrolet - a conflict with his Evernham's Dodge contract.
Evernham said he hopes to get Foyt in some ARCA races and more Busch Series races by the end of the season.
"We had hoped for better things out of Anthony," Evernham said Thursday at Phoenix International Raceway. "The [Akins] car having its problems didn't help us much. ... I'm not ready to give up on him.
"I want to give him a fair shot to prove whether he has got what we think it takes to take the next step and continue on or not."
Evernham said one possibility is for Foyt to run the No. 14 FitzBradshaw Racing car. Evernham Racing supplies engines for the FBR teams.
"Everything he has done for us, he's done a great job at," Evernham said. "That's why we're a little bit confused. He tested really great for us and seemed like he was really going to pick it up.
"If you look at his first few races in the 38 car really wasn't too bad. Then a bunch of changes started to happen and it just went down hill from there."
