Foyt team mourns passing of friend and patron Marlyne Sexton

The AJ Foyt Racing team will forever be indebted to Marlyne Sexton, who passed away last week at the age of 86.

Sexton and her late husband Joe knew the Foyt family for many decades before the Sexton Properties name appeared as a modest associate sponsor on one of Foyt’s Indy 500 entries in 2015. The Sexton’s real estate development and apartment rental business in Indiana and other Midwestern and southern states had been quite a success for many years, which made the associate sponsorship deal less of a grand marketing plan and more of a way to grow closer and help old friends.

It's here where Sexton, who lost Joe in 2002, took it upon herself to step in and be an angel for the Foyt team when its primary sponsor from 2021-22 failed to make its payments and put the entire team in jeopardy of folding. Refusing to let the misdeeds of others put her friends’ team at risk, Sexton Properties went from secondary placements on the front wings of the legendary No. 14 Chevy to full title sponsor.

Marlyne Sexton’s vast accomplishments as a businesswoman made it possible to step in help the Foyt team survive the significant financial uncertainty it faced, and with the large Sexton Properties name written across the sidepods, there was no question as to who was making sure the No. 14 entry continues on in 2023 and beyond.

"I met Marlyne's husband Joe Sexton years ago," Foyt said. "We were talking about garden apartments and how many they had in Houston. He flew down to see them, came back and built some on Tenth Street. I was one of the first customers, and from then on, we were just great friends.

"I loved Marlyne very much. She was a beautiful woman and a wonderful sponsor. She wasn't very critical, like a lot of sponsors can be. She was just a wonderful lady and a really loyal friend. I will really miss her."

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Team president Larry Foyt worked closely with Mrs. Sexton to dig the team out of its financial crater, and with her support and steadying effect, the team was able to enter into a technical alliance with Team Penske in the summer of 2023 that has propelled AJ Foyt Racing from the rear of the field to a top 10 contender with Santino Ferrucci and new teammate David Malukas.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Marlyne Sexton," Larry Foyt said. "It can't be overstated the positive effects she has had on not only our team but on me personally as well. Her strength and positive influence are a huge piece of our recent successes. I will forever be grateful for the life lessons she taught me and the confidence she instilled in all aspects of my life. Marlyne loved watching IndyCar and cheering for AJ Foyt Racing. I will miss our talks about the races and the team, but her teachings and impact will be remembered for the rest of my life."

Away from business and racing, Mrs. Sexton was a major benefactor for the arts and charities and served as “a lifetime member and on the board of the White House Historical Association, a generous supporter of the Alzheimer's Association and the King Charles III Foundation in the UK. A former Broadway producer, she established several musical theater programs and contributed generously to enhance facilities for the visual arts at Southern Methodist University,” according to the Foyts.

She was also a big fan of Ferrucci.

"Marlyne was an incredible woman," said the young driver from Connecticut. "She really believed in me, the team and what we could do. I'm very thankful for her and her daughters, Tracy and Nicole. Marlyne really cared a lot about our team. She treated me like family during the three years I got to know her."

Ferrucci’s No. 14 Sexton Properties Chevy will carry a tribute livery in her honor this weekend at the Road America IndyCar event.