Chase Austin to drive Foyt entry at Indy 500

11:48 AM, Aug 4, 2012   |    comments
Photo by US Presswire
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • - A A A +

LEXINGTON, Ohio  - Chase Austin could become only the third African-American driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 after being selected by A.J. Foyt to drive his entry in the 2013 racing classic.  

The 22-year-old Austin has been racing since he was 8 years old. He became the youngest driver to ever sign a driver-development contract in NASCAR when he was 14. He has driven in several series, most prominently Indy Lights.    

Foyt, a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, made the announcement at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, site of this weekend's IndyCar race.      

Austin could follow in the footsteps of Willy T. Ribbs, the first African-American driver at Indy in 1991, and George Mack (2002).

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)