Athletes - Al Unser, Jr.

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	Athletes - Al Unser, Jr.

Al Unser, Jr. (born April 19, 1962 in Albuquerque, New Mexico), nicknamed "Little Al" or "Junior" is an American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

Al Unser, Jr., the son of Al Unser and the nephew of Bobby Unser, both race car drivers in their own right, grew up surrounded by racing. By the age of 11, Al Unser, Jr. was racing sprint cars. After high school, he was already in the World of Outlaws series of sprint car racing. He soon moved into road racing, winning the Super Vee title in 1981 and the Can Am title in 1982.

In 1982, Unser made his debut on the CART circuit, finishing fifth at the California 500. A year later, he competed in his first Indianapolis 500, finishing tenth. Unser continued racing on the CART circuit, becoming one of the series' rising stars. He began competing in the IROC championship in 1986, winning that championship with two victories in four races. At the age of 24, Unser was the youngest IROC champion ever (as of 2004). Unser won the 1988 and 1986 IROC championships. Unser won the 24 Hours of Daytona also at age 24.

Unser continued to improve on the CART circuit, finishing fourth in the points standings in 1986, third in 1987, second in 1988 and finally winning the series for the first time in 1990. In 1989, Unser was on the verge of winning his first Indianapolis 500, but while battling with Emerson Fittipaldi for the lead, the two touched wheels and Unser spun out, hitting the wall and ending his chances. Unser would have his day at Indy in 1992, however, defeating Scott Goodyear by .043 of a second, the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history (as of 2004).

In 1994, Unser again won at Indy, this time with Penske Racing. His teammate was Emerson Fittipaldi, the man whom he battled with five years before. Unser turned in a dominant season-long performance, winning eight of 16 races on his way to his second CART championship.

However, Unser would begin to fade in CART, perhaps due to drug problems that would later lead to arrest. He would finish second to Jacques Villeneuve in CART championship points in 1995, but after finishing fourth in 1996, 13th in 1997, 11th in 1998 and 21st in 1999, Unser would eventually leave CART to join the budding Indy Racing League for the 2000 campaign. He won his first IRL race that same season at Las Vegas.

Unser would go on to win a total of three races in his IRL career, but after breaking his pelvis in an all-terrain vehicle accident in October of 2003, Unser had difficulty securing a ride for the 2004 season. He finally signed with Patrick Racing three races into the season, but after a 22nd-place finish in Richmond, Al Unser, Jr. finally announced his retirement from racing on June 30, 2004.

Unser continues to remain involved in racing, however, outside of a racing capacity. He serves as an adviser for Patrick Racing and works as a mentor for his son, Alfred Unser, who is currently working his way through the lower ranks in open-wheel racing.

Champcar career results

1982 - Forsythe Racing - 30 points, 21st in championship, best finish: 5th
1983 - Galles Racing - 89 points (new system), 7th, best finish: 2nd (x2)
1984 - Galles Racing - 1 win, 103 points, 6th
1985 - Shierson Racing - 2 wins, 150 points, 2nd
1986 - Shierson Racing - 1 win, 137 points, 4th
1987 - Shierson Racing - 107 points 3rd, best finish: 2nd (x2)
1988 - Galles Racing - 4 wins, 149 points, 2nd
1989 - Galles Racing - 1 win, 136 points, 5th
1990 - Galles/Kraco Racing - 6 wins, 210 points, 1st
1991 - Galles/Kraco Racing - 2 wins, 197 points, 3rd
1992 - Galles/Kraco Racing - 1 win, 169 points, 3rd
1993 - Galles Racing - 1 win, 100 points, 7th
1994 - Penske Racing - 8 wins, 225 points, 1st
1995 - Penske Racing - 4 wins, 161 points, 2nd
1996 - Penske Racing - 125 points, 4th, best finish: 2nd (x2)
1997 - Penske Racing - 67 points, 13th, best finish: 3rd
1998 - Penske Racing - 72 points, 11th, best finish: 2nd
1999 - Penske Racing - 26 points, =21st, best finish: 5th

2 championships, 31 victories

Indianapolis 500 results

1983 - 10th (out of fuel)
1984 - 21st (water pump)
1985 - 25th (engine)
1986 - 5th
1987 - 4th
1988 - 13th
1989 - 2nd (crash)
1990 - 4th
1991 - 4th
1992 - 1st
1993 - 8th
1994 - 1st
1995 (did not qualify)
2000 - 29th (radiator)
2001 - 30th (crash)
2002 - 12th
2003 - 9th
2004 - 17th

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