Sport: Motor sportsWhen Junior was a teenager, Senior tossed him the car keys and presumably said, "Take the car son, and be sure to ignore the speed limit.’’
If his father was using the car, Al Jr. could always ask Uncle Bobby. They should call Indianapolis Speedway the Unser Freeway. Bobby won the Indy 500 three times, Al Sr. a record four times and Al Jr. in 1992. Quite a family tire tree!
Al Sr. was a giant of the sport already by 1985, when it seemed his career was winding down and he was moving into the slow lane to allow his son to pass him. He was a relief driver, accustomed to watching the cars go by. However, Rick Mears got injured and Al Sr. promptly accelerated to the top of the Indy Car standings, becoming the oldest driver to win the points title. His total was 151. Al Jr. had 150. "My father taught me everything I know about racing, but he hasn’t taught me everything he knows.’’