HOMESTEAD, FLA. -- There are many ways to earn a living in auto racing, from being a mechanic to officiating races to handling public relations to strapping on a race car.

But there is no tougher job in any form of motorsports than driving an Indy car for A.J. Foyt.

The four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is demanding, impatient, temperamental, and doesn't believe in engineers or paying drivers much more than a fry cook at Burger King.

On the flip side, the irascible Texan also has a wealth of knowledge and practicality stored in his 68-year-old mind so he can shorten a rookie's learning curve.

Foyt can either bring out the best in a driver, like he did with Kenny Brack in 1998 and 1999, or make guys consider another line of work.

It's not a job for the weak of heart, mind or spirit.

And that's what makes his new employee such a compelling story. Because the driver of the No. 14 Dallara/Toyota can refer to him as either 'A.J.' or 'Grandpa.'"

Anthony Foyt IV makes his IndyCar debut Sunday here in the Toyota 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. At 18, he'll be the youngest to ever start an Indy Racing League event and, with his heritage, he'll be under more pressure than any teenager deserves.

"Everyone expects him to be like me," said Foyt, whose accomplishments in Indy-car racing (67 wins and seven championships) will never be duplicated. "He's got talent but he's pretty green and he's got a lot to learn."

Some would say Foyt might be guilty of grandchild abuse for throwing Anthony into a 220-mph rocket because he's only got a couple years of experience in cars with much less horsepower.

Sure, he did capture the Infiniti Pro Series (a smaller, slower version of Indy cars) last year. But prior to that drove in SCCA F2000 and go-karts.

"I couldn't see any reason to stay in that series, I think I learned all I could in it and I was excited when A.J. asked me if I was ready to move up," said the polite, gangly kid from Hockley, Texas, who turns 19 on May 25 -- the day he hopes to be starting his initial Indy 500.

"I know I've got a lot of learn but I've also got the best teacher."

	Anthony Foyt IV, left, makes his IndyCar debut in his granfather A.J. Foyt's car at Homestead.

And that teacher's patience has already been put to the test since his grandson has already crashed three times at this tricky oval. Anthony whacked the first turn wall during a January test, found the Turn 3 concrete a couple weeks ago and lost control exiting Turn 4 on Friday.

"One of my mechanics said I should get in a rental car and go out and run into the Turn 2 wall and get it over with," said Anthony with a small grin.

In fairness of young Foyt, his accident here this weekend was caused because Helio Castroneves dove under him and he moved up and out of the groove to give the two-time Indy winner enough room. Owner Roger Penske and Castroneves both apologized to the Foyt family.

"That was B.S.," said A.J. on Saturday morning. "You don't dive bomb somebody with five minutes left in practice and I told Anthony the next time that happens just turn down into him.

"This is a tough place, not just for Anthony but for a lot of guys out here. It's not the easiest track for your first race."

Considering the crew switched from a G-Force chassis to a Dallara early last week and worked two all-nighters to get it here, repairing the car was the last thing they needed to do Friday night (they worked until 3 a.m. on Saturday).

"I felt so bad for those guys. The last thing I wanted to do was create more work for them," said Anthony, whose paycheck is reported to be $250 a week.

Saturday finally went smooth as he got in 41 practice laps in the morning and then qualified 17th out of 21 (beating veterans Jaques Lazier and Robbie Buhl) -- going quicker on his second lap of 195.660 mph.

"I just need to run all day and get some experience in the race," he said. "I think things will be OK."

Tony Foyt, the oldest son of A.J. and Anthony's father, stood off to the side of his garage with wife Nancy. Asked if he worried that it was too much too soon for his son, Tony replied:

	“	I know A.J. yells and screams at him and the other day Anthony got a little emotional after he crashed so my dad put his arm around him and told him things were going to be OK. The good thing about Anthony is that he's a tough kid and he'll be able to take it. He knows at the end of the day that A.J. loves him and wants the best for him. ”
		— Tony Foyt

"It would have probably been nice to have another year with a formula in between the Infiniti series and Indy cars but there really isn't one in this country. I don't think staying in the Infiniti series would have taught him as much as he'll learn this season."

How about handling the wrath of A.J.?

"I know A.J. yells and screams at him and the other day Anthony got a little emotional after he crashed so my dad put his arm around him and told him things were going to be OK.

"The good thing about Anthony is that he's a tough kid and he'll be able to take it. He knows at the end of the day that A.J. loves him and wants the best for him."

The best for Anthony on race day would be to run all afternoon and bring the car home with all four wheels.

"I wish we were at Phoenix for our first race instead of Homestead, after what's happened, but there's nothing I can do about it except drive smart and get as much experience as possible," he said.

Driving with A.J. Foyt on your back and in your headset is a lot to ask from a veteran, let alone a rookie. And the next seven months for Anthony Foyt IV will be as much a test of his will as his skill.

He's a good kid and you can only hope he survives this 200 mph boot camp.

Anthony's baptism by fire Sunday turned out to be a success as he ran all day, stayed out of trouble and finished 17th -- six laps down to winner Scott Dixon.

"I got laps and the car still has four wheels so I'm happy about that," he said afterwards. "You get out of your rhythm when the leaders start lapping you but that's part of the deal.

"I'm a rookie and I need experience."

He could have also used a little H20 during the longest race of his life (three minutes shy of two hours) but his crew failed to give him any water during his pit stops.

"One of our guys had a water bottle in his pocket and for some reason didn't offer it to Anthony," said the senior Foyt. "I guess they think he's a damn camel."