“I feel safer on a racetrack…than on Houston expressways” (A. J. Foyt)

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

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Entry from January 04, 2007

“I feel safer on a racetrack…than on Houston expressways” (A. J. Foyt)

A. J. Foyt is a racing driver from Houston. He once said that he felt safer driving on the racetrack than driving on Houston expressways. The Foyt quote is on many internet sites, but usually without a date and with the incorrect wording.

Wikipedia: A. J. Foyt
A. J. Foyt (born Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr., January 16, 1935 in Houston, Texas) is considered by many as the greatest American automobile racing driver of all time. He holds the all-time USAC career wins record with 159 victories.

16 January 1989, Elyria (OH) Chronicle-Telegram, pg. A5:
TODAY’S QUOTE: “I feel safer on a racetrack with the traffic going in the same direction and good drivers behind the wheels than I do on Houston expressways.”—A. J. Foyt

Posted by Barry Popik
Texas (Lone Star State Dictionary) • Thursday, January 04, 2007 • Permalink

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