Racing legend Foyt forced to skip Rolex 24 at Daytona

A.J. Foyt will miss this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona after being hospitalized due to complications from recent knee surgery.

Foyt, a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, was scheduled to serve as Grand Marshall for the 50th anniversary of the 24-hour endurance race at Daytona International Speedway. He is also a winner of the Daytona 500 and the 24-hour race there.

"I am really sorry that I can't be there this weekend for the Rolex 24," Foyt said in a statement released on Friday. "I was really looking forward to it, because I thought it was a great honor to be asked to be the Grand Marshal of the 50th Anniversary of that race and considered it to be one of the great highlights of my career.

"I feel so bad that I let everyone down. I was also looking forward to seeing some of my old friends and the race cars that I drove in that race. It was going to be a really fun weekend for me, but I guess I'll be watching the race from my hospital room. Yep, the doctors pulled rank on me. And I hate to admit, but I think they're right -- this time. I'd like to wish everyone a safe race, and I'll be with you in spirit."

Foyt is expected to make a full recovery.