Busch driver working to live up to name.

A kid with dreams of becoming a race driver like his dad should have it made, especially if the name is Foyt - but Larry Foyt found out different.

Despite possessing a name synonymous with auto racing, being AJ Foyt's son didn't guarantee Larry a career in racing - in fact, it nearly kept him from realising a dream.

"Growing up, I played the usual sports in school," said Foyt, now 24, "The only race I went to regularly was Indy because AJ really tried to steer us away from racing. But, in junior high, I started to realise how big Indy really was, and it was so awesome to me and I thought, 'Why couldn't I do this?'

"It was tough because AJ was so against it. He didn't want to see us get hurt. He said he's had a lot of bad injuries and he's been lucky, but I knew I had to drive and felt it was something I could do."

As a rookie in NASCAR's Busch Series, Larry is facing the toughest challenge of his young career. But he is doing so with the moral support of his father and the financial support of Harrah's Casinos. He is now hoping to qualify for the Jani-King 300 next Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway.

And what about the pressure of being a Foyt in a world that A.J. made his own?

"I've lived with that ever since I started racing, and I knew going in that there was going to be that added pressure," said Larry, "There is never going to be another AJ Foyt and I'm not trying to be another AJ. My goals are realistic - I want to learn whatever I can, run well and be consistent."

RPM Week-Texas will feature AJ guiding his Winston Cup team with Ron Hornaday behind the wheel, while at the same time keeping a close eye on Larry's Busch team efforts in the Jani-King 300.