What was the last year A.J. Foyt was realistically competitive enough to win the 500?

[Coastal Eddy]

He also started in 20 Daytona 500s (1972-90 and 1992). There's guys that spend their whole careers in NASCAR and never get to 20.

His last "good" finish at Daytona for reference was 11th in 1983.

And all that back when the Daytona 500 was as real as it gets.