Little Al walks away from racing on his own terms

INDIANAPOLIS — Al Unser Jr. woke up to a harsh reality this week. His passion for racing was gone.

On Wednesday, Unser announced his retirement because he was no longer having fun on the track, stepping away from a successful career on his own terms.

“Racing has to come before everything else in your life,” he said. “I’d reached a point where helping my sons and daughters means more to me today than driving into turn one.”

Unser, 42, leaves open-wheel racing as one of its most successful drivers. In more than 21 seasons, Unser won two Indianapolis 500s, two CART championships and a combined 34 races on the CART and Indy Racing League circuits.

His new career — as an adviser for Patrick Racing, his team, and a driving mentor for his son, Al — begins this weekend at the Argent Mortgage Indy 300 in Kansas City, Kan. Team owner U.E. “Pat” Patrick has not yet named a replacement driver for Unser.

During a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the red-headed, freckle-faced Unser, who burst onto the Indy scene in 1983 known as “Little Al,” sat stoically as a highlight film replayed some of his most cherished moments.

“You just know when it’s time,” he said afterward. “I never had set a date, but you have to have a passion for it. I’m no longer willing to maintain that level of sacrifice or desire.”