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June 29, 2004

Two-Time Indy Winner Al Unser Jr. Expected To Retire


By Michael Marot
The Associated Press
       INDIANAPOLIS   —   A Wednesday news conference was scheduled at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway amid speculation that two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. would retire from racing.
    Unser, who won CART championships in 1990 and 1994, was not immediately available for comment, but his father, Al Unser Sr., said Tuesday they had discussed on Monday night whether the younger Unser might retire.
    "I know he was unhappy with the race car when I talked to him Monday night," Unser Sr. told The Associated Press. "I'm just not sure what he is going to do."
    A spokesman for the younger Unser's team, Patrick Racing, declined to comment. Officials from other IRL teams said Unser was expected to announce his retirement.
    The 42-year-old Unser has finished 17th, 11th and 22nd in his three starts for Patrick Racing, which he joined after missing the first three races of this year's IRL season.
    He struggled to find a ride after breaking his pelvis last October when he was thrown from an all-terrain vehicle. Unser then spent months rehabilitating.