Gossage says his cancer in 'complete remission' Sep 19, 2009
Gossage once offered NASCAR drivers $15,000 for throwing a helmet in a fit of anger during competition (he got no takers), and tried to lure open-wheel drivers Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. out of retirement to race with sponsorship offers. There was an all-female pit crew for a NASCAR truck race, prerace motorcycle jumps by Robbie Knievel, and much more. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Baltimore starts its engines in pursuit of Grand Prix car race Aug 18, 2009
Baltimore Racing Development, whose members include two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr., must overcome a number of hurdles before getting the green light for the race ... Al Unser Jr. told the crowd that the IRL is very pleased with what s going on in Baltimore and Charm City is much further ahead than other competing cities. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
Film about Cody Unser is candid take on paralysis Aug 8, 2009
Unser, the daughter of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. and granddaughter of four-time Indy winner Al Unser, was stricken while playing basketball at school in 1999. Paralyzed within 20 minutes, she eventually was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, an uncommon neurological disorder that attacks the spinal cord. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Former Cal Star Les Richter to Be Inducted into Racing Hall of Fame Jul 8, 2009
Joining Richter in the Class of 2009 are Kenny Bernstein, David Hobbs, Scott Parker, Al Unser Jr., H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler and Joe Weatherly. "Innovation and competitive spirit are hallmarks of the class of 2009," said Hall of Fame president Ron Watson. (Calbears.com)
Castroneves eyes third Indy victory May 24, 2009
"Good enough to go 1-2-3?Penske has a third entry for the first time since 1994, when Al Unser Jr. gave him a win. Will Power, hired to fill in for Castroneves until his legal problems were resolved, was rewarded with a drive at Indy after Castroneves returned to the cockpit.The Aussie, starting from the outside of the third row, might be the most motivated of the Penske drivers as the team has not guaranteed him any more races."I know I have a great car and a great team," Power said. "I'm going... (Boston Globe)
Power's run at Penske could end after Indy 500 May 23, 2009
In the past 10 years, only three full-time drivers have left the team: Sam Hornish Jr. joined Penske's NASCAR team, 2003 Indy winner Gil de Ferran retired, and Al Unser Jr. jumped from the CART circuit to the Indy Racing League after making 101 starts for Penske. But what Power learned over the past 4 1/2 months has given him some idea of what to look for in a future employer. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
How fast fortunes change May 23, 2009
In 1992, after he won his first of two Indy 500s, Al Unser Jr., who now lives in Henderson, looked into the TV cameras in Victory Lane and began to choke up. You just dont know what Indy means, a tearful Little Al said. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Penske has 14 Indy 500 wins and wants more May 16, 2009
Al Unser Jr. won the race for Penske in 1994, but the next year the inconceivable happened when Unser and teammate Emerson Fittipaldi failed to qualify. The Penske team then skipped 1996 through 1999 at the speedway, joining other top CART teams that boycotted the Indy Racing League's biggest event as that rivalry grew. (MSNBC -- Sports)
University of Redlands Student Cody Unser Documentary Run to Start Today in L.A. Apr 20, 2009
Cody Unser, the daughter of legendary race car driver Al Unser Jr., will graduate from the University of Redlands in a few short weeks after crafting a degree in biopolitics through the school's innovative Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, where students work with faculty members to design their own degrees. When Cody was 12, her breath went short and her legs numb during a school basketball game. (PR Newswire)
Disney Sensation David Henrie Named Grand Marshal for 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Apr 18, 2009
"market" : {"NAME" : "U.S.", "ID" : "us_market", "TZ" : "ET", "TZOFFSET" : "-14400", "open" : "", "close" : "", "flags" : {}} , "STREAMER_SERVER" : "http://streamerapi.finance.yahoo.com","arrowAsChangeSign" : false,"throttleInterval": "1000". Search for share prices. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Auto Racing This Weekend Apr 17, 2009
Fast facts: Al Unser Jr., the Grand Marshal for the race, ran 15 Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) races on the streets of Long Beach, winning six times, including a remarkable four straight from 1988-91. Next race: Road Runner Turbo Indy 300, April 26, Kansas City, Kan. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
This week in auto racing: NASCAR in Phoenix Apr 16, 2009
Fast facts: Al Unser Jr. is the Grand Marshal. Either 30 or 45 minutes of practice has been scheduled for rookies and entrants outside the top 10 in points before all cars take the racetrack on the first day of an event weekend (outside of the Indianapolis 500). (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
STREET RACING: Fantastic return of IndyCar to Long Beach Apr 15, 2009
The crowds returned to see the second generation take over, with Michael Andretti winning his first IndyCar race at Long Beach in 1986 and Al Unser Jr. winning six times between 1988 and 1995. In putting together a schedule for the 2006 season, the IndyCar Series and the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Gossage a Texas showman with old-school PR stunts Apr 4, 2009
Gossage once offered NASCAR drivers 15,000 for throwing a helmet in a fit of anger during competition (he got no takers), and tried to lure open-wheel drivers Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. out of retirement to race with sponsorship offers. There was an all-female pit crew for a NASCAR truck race; prerace motorcycle jumps by Robbie Knievel; a 42-foot fire-breathing, car-eating robot, and much more. (Longview Daily News, WA)
World Renowned Vegas Gaming Expert Picks Skateboarder Danny Way and Actor Keanu Reeves as Celebrity Favorites in 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Apr 2, 2009
The celebs may have a 30 second head start but with the "King of the Beach," Al Unser Jr. leading the way the professionals are likely to catch up fast. Professionals. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Unser Jr. is honored by LBGP Mar 26, 2009
LONG BEACH - It's safe to say that nobody had a better time racing through the streets of Long Beach than Al Unser Jr., the newly appointed Grand Marshal for the 35th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 16-19 ... " "Al Unser Jr. has certainly contributed much to the success of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach over the years," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. "He has earned the right to be called the `King of the Beach. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Force For Earth Named Official Fuel Re-formulator of the Firestone Indy Lights Mar 24, 2009
MIAMI, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- When Firestone Indy Lights kicks off on April 4, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Fla. racing fans may notice something a little different in the air. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Famed dirt track to close after 58 years Mar 17, 2009
Manzanita Speedway, widely regarded as one of the top three dirt tracks in the country and an oval that helped spawn the careers of Al Unser Jr. and JJ Yeley, among others, has been sold and is closing its doors after a 58-year run. The final race is scheduled for April 11. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Some IndyCar drivers to get extra track time Mar 12, 2009
"So, you respond with extra track time that doesn't cost anything (because) it's at a race event. If you're out of the top 10 in points, it's more of a competition issue. Instead of going testing, we're trying to give an opportunity to close the gap on the top 10 in points by giving extra track time.'' At the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, all of the entries will begin the race weekend April 3 with two practices. First-year participants in the Indianapolis 500 will go through... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Start Your Engines! 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Drivers Announced Mar 11, 2009
2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Drivers Announced: Financial News - Yahoo. Source: Toyota Motorsports. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
With auto racers, the eyes have it Feb 9, 2009
It doesn t take a scientist to see the connection between these two auto racing greats: Al Unser Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. Both are sons of auto racers who were pretty good in their own right. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
