StemCell Therapy

AVONDALE, Arix. Perhaps A.J. Foyts greatest title isnt as the first four-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

Maybe its survivor.

Foyt, whose list of injuries is almost as long as that of his legendary racing achievements, had right foot toe surgery Wednesday just days after stem cell therapy in Mexico. So the winner of Phoenix Raceways debut event in 1964 wont be at Saturday nights Phoenix Grand Prix.

Pain in a smashed smaller toe remnant of a devastating 1990 crash through a dirt embankment at Wisconsins Road America course when his brakes failed was so severe Foyt considered amputation.

Foyt, 82, admits he probably waited too long to try the stem cell therapy, which isnt approved in the U.S. Doctors removed stomach tissue and he explained it takes something like 10 weeks to grow back to produce the stem cells.

Adult stem cells can grow and become part of a specific tissue. Foyt likely wont feel the effects of injections into his shoulders or ankles, two areas the treatment is targeting to relieve pain and gain strength and functionality,for three months.

A..J. Foyt, who is recovering from surgery and wont be at the Phoenix race this season, congratulates 2016 winner Scott Dixon. (Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Typical for Foyt, though, he didnt allow his ailments to keep him from completely revamping his two-car ABC Supply Co.-sponsored team after an unsuccessful 2016.

Out: drivers Takuma Sato (now with Michael Andrettis team) and Jack Hawksworth (not in IndyCar). In: former Andretti driver Carlos Munoz, and Conor Daly, in only his second full-time season. Both are 25. Foyt changed to Chevroletengines, from Honda, and moved Dalys crew to a shop almost in sight of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while Munoz team operates from Foyts traditional Houston base.

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Sato won the 2013 Long Beach Grand Prix but Foyt called him a little weak and we were just having too many crashes.

Foyts first instructions to Munoz and Daly?

I told them when we started testing: Were not here to set a record or see how fast we can run. Were here to get the cars to where they drive very comfortable. If you crash right off, well be further behind. I dont want you to extend yourself one bit. I just want you to know that.

Said Daly, who father Derek is a former driver, mother Beth a racing sports marketer and event planner, and stepfather Doug Boles IMS president: Youre really driven to try to win for A.J. You can tell how much he still wants to win. Its a cool, emotional deal.

Knight writes for the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.

See the rest here:
AJ Foyt undergoes stem cell therapy, toe surgery - USA TODAY

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