Why Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes AJ Foyt isn't a NASCAR Hall of Famer

AJ Foyt is a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, a seven-time USAC champion, a 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and a Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, but his candidacy for the NASCAR Hall of Fame is widely debated. 

On Tuesday's episode of the "Dale Jr. Download," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he believes Foyt, while a legendary race driver across the board, shouldn't be considered for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 

Dale Jr. speaks out on AJ Foyt's HOF candidacy

"I think that a lot of people say, 'Hey, he's one of the greatest drivers ever and he raced with us. He's automatic'," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I don't agree with that. There's some people that believe he belongs in there. AJ came and had success and won, but there were also times when he came and was cantankerous and difficult and problematic."

Foyt is without a doubt one of the best race car drivers of all time. His name is one that is synonymous with speed. 

But in regard to NASCAR racing, where he made 128 Cup Series starts and won seven races, whether or not he's worthy of enshrinement in the Hall of Fame is an interesting issue. Foyt was a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2023 and 2024, appearing on the Pioneer Ballot.

Foyt's most iconic NASCAR victory came with the famed Wood Brothers team in the 1972 Daytona 500. He never ran a full NASCAR season, but he never needed to, either. He was content to race on a part-time basis. 

Foyt, 91, still fields entries in the NTT IndyCar Series with drivers Santino Ferrucci and rookie Caio Collet.