This is the Stattmann Baby!!  Time to Scatt a little bit.

Word this week that A.J. Foyt IV was leaving Indy Cars and going to NASCAR brought out the critics.

Foyt’s run in the IRL hasn’t been spectacular whether you blame the resources at Foyt Racing or the skills under A.J. IV’s helmet.

But before you join in the character assassination, listen to this from Max Papis who’s had success in both open wheel and sports car racing.

“You don’t want to crush a kid’s dream.  You never want to talk bad about someone. 

“I always say it like this:  Champ Car, the IRL, you don’t get in there to learn.  You get in there to deliver.   You have to be mentally focused, you know, physically prepared, to go out there and kick ass!”

Motor racing wants to align itself with the major stick and ball sports. 

But you can buy your way into the Indy 500, maybe even the Daytona 500, but the Super Bowl or the World Series?  Ask the Yankees how tough that is!

Peace…