The Al Unser Jr. Story, A Checkered Past

Gary and Al Unser Jr. talk about his extremely successful IndyCar Career, his new book: A Checkered Past, his struggles with drugs and alcohol and living with substance use disorder. Al goes through his career from the beginning, racing go karts in New Mexico, to dirt sprint cars, Super Vee, his CAN-AM racing and his career and as an IndyCar Legend. Unser had the opportunity to race Nascar and Formula one full time but ultimately stayed true to his Indianapolis centric career. We talk about his two IROC championships and his interactions with Dale Earnhardt Sr, as well as his relationship with his father Al Unser Sr. once they became competitors. In regards to his book: A checkered Past, Al talks about being brutally honest and open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol and how important it is to be completely honest if you're going to help others.

Info:
www.amazon.ca/Al-Unser-Jr-Che...
/ alunserjr

[@shawns57garage]

What a great interview with such a racing legend. Nice to hear the turnaround Al made from substance abuse and getting his life back on track and now helping others. 👍 Fantastic job Al Jr and great interview GK.👊💪

[@thegarykluttpodcast]

Thank you sir! Al was a pleasure to chat with

[@user-di6rx2wr3r]

I grew up in Albuquerque and worked at the go-kart track when Al was racing there. One time when he was hot lapping, Big Al and Uncle Bobby were sitting on the hood of my dad’s 67 Country Squire watching him. Little Al was a racing machine. Not long after that he was running at Speedway Park, it was an awesome track. It was a parabolic 3/8 clay oval. The banking increased the higher up you went. Good memories.

[@sergioleone3583]

Al Jr. has long been one of my favorite racers. He's just older than me to where he was a step up when I was a young man and saw him win at Long Beach three of his four times (89-91) and was so stoked when he got Indy in 92. Was bummed for him (and on him, to be honest) when it became public what some of his problems were 20 years or so ago but so stoked on how he's opened himself up to the Lord and turned back around. Always love hearing him talk about his racing, his family, and his life. Good interview here.

[@Jim-yv5hm]

Al jr. Love him

[@gusgranrath1840]

Fantastic interview. I'm a huge fan of Indy Car. Learned a lot about your journey. Thank you Al Jr., for your honesty . God's strength be with you.

[@brians7419]

I could listen to Al Jr. all day long. So interesting!

[@thegarykluttpodcast]

Me too I wish we had some more time for this one!

[@towhee89]

Hi Gary. Thanks for the great interview with Al. I'd like to read his book but haven't yet, but this is a great primer for how he moved up the ranks to the Indy cars. I will give you a like and subscribe. I've always loved Indy Car and F1 but only seriously started watching old races recently, after finding a treasure trove on youtube. Cheers!

[@thegarykluttpodcast]

Thanks for the support!! More good ones to come!

[@The_Lincoln_Penny]

105:57 I was a huge Little Al fan prior to him publishing the book. I thought that he was one of the best public figures on earth.After reading it I no longer hold him in the same esteem. I now think that he is one of the best human beings.

[@andystephenson2552]

Another great Podcast about someone I enjoyed watching race cars when I was younger. Different challenges than I thought, especially being born into the sport I thought there would be more doors opened because of it. Thanks for your hard work producing as I continue to find time for some of your older podcasts.

[@chuckaducky]

great story from my Abq, neighbor. My cousin Cole worked in your circle since you were both kids. I lived across the field from you and Shelley on Roadrunner lane heard you roaring your IROC car at times and also heard some of the disagreements and some of the playing when you and the kids were out back at the LazyU. Keep your head on we all go thru tough times (difference is your high profile) . The game is short and 60 is where Walter was when he mentored you share it you had a rockin life> Thanks jr. Frank Crosby is smiling

[@legendarymotorcar]

So good having Al at the shop

[@wpbarchitect1800]

WOW. This was a great surprise to see pop up on YT! Little Al remains one of my favorite drivers of all time. I was only a kid during his heyday but love to binge old CART seasons and he was just so good....fast aggressive and never quit. Wish gary would step back a bit....when you have a guest with this much to talk about and who's so totally open and willing to talk, just let them go. But thanks for this and Little Al, life throws so much at us. All we can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and you're such a great example of that. Cheers!

[@thegarykluttpodcast]

Thanks man, appreciate the kind words! check out our PT and Tagliani podcasts I think you'll enjoy em

[@SH-ly1uy]

What a great sportsman and great to see that he is back in track

[@thegarykluttpodcast]

Absolutely! raw talent

[@josemorelli8170]

What a story man! Sometimes I think Little Al doesn't have an idea of how big he is for motor racing internationally. He's a very humble person despite belonging to a heavy weight dynasty. I missed some questions like, what happened to Mini Al, his son who was considered a promise for the future back in those early 90's days. I wonder why Al Unser family is out of motor racing today. Greetings from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

[@fighterjetsteve]

Jose..... get his book. I think he touches on all of that. I was there when he won in 1992.🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@ku4uv]

I want to get a copy of this book and have Al Unser Jr. sign it for me! Excellent interview! Al is a great guy!

[@peterjthoesenpllc5338]

Hey Al, enjoyed your interview "Praise Jesus"

[@jleffin]

Hello, Can anyone please tell me how I or anybody could talk to Al Jr.

[@rickravon6845]

Seriously I’m about halfway through this interview and if I had a dollar for every time the Director switched between Al Unser and Gary I could buy a brand new house cash in Beverly Hills. Please in the future don’t switch between the two so often. I can’t even explain how annoying that is

[@rickravon6845]

Great interview but seriously who the hell is switching between Al Unser and the interviewer?? STOP THE BACK AND FORTH!! It’s WAY too much

[@charlesleake930]

fu......im driving a turbo volkswagon beetle......get out of my waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

[@thegarykluttpodcast]

😂

[@charlesleake930]

@@thegarykluttpodcast long forgotten

[@garykarnes6514]

Al was my hero and then I bought his book. To say that I was disappointed in him would be an understatement. But he is still my hero. God bless you Al 🙏