HIS EYES ARE ON THE PRIZE : SIX-TIME TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH WINNER AL UNSER JR. IS BACK, TRYING TO RETAIN HIS TITLE....Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer Al Unser This article is about the automobile racer. For the baseball player, see Al Unser (baseball). Alfred Unser (born May 29, 1939 in Albuquerque, New Mexico) is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of Bobby Unser and father of Al Unser, Jr. watches what he eats more carefully these days. He gets his rest, he gets his exercise. In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , like any smart athlete, he does what he can to maintain his aging body. Yes, aging. Little Al is no longer Al Sr.'s precocious kid. Far from it. At 33 and in his 15th season as an IndyCar driver, he's one of racing's grizzled griz·zled adj. 1. Partly gray or streaked with gray: a grizzled beard. 2. Having fur or hair streaked or tipped with gray. veterans. One young driver, 25-year-old Bryan Herta Bryan Herta (b. May 23 1970, Warren, Michigan) is an American race car driver. He currently drives for Andretti Green Racing, which is co-owned by former CART and IRL driver Michael Andretti, in the ALMS, although his career has primarily been spent in open-wheel cars , said he thinks of Unser Jr. when he thinks of the racing Unsers. ``I don't think of him as anyone's kid,'' he said, a clear indication that a generation has passed since Junior began his IndyCar career in 1982. Unser isn't sure what to make of his place among the sport's elder statesmen. ``A veteran? I feel too young to be that,'' he said with a laugh. ``The only guys still around from when I started are Bobby Rahal Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal (born January 10, 1953 in Medina, Ohio) is an American auto racing team owner and former driver, spending most of his driving career in the CART open-wheel series, winning three championships there. and Emerson Fittipaldi in 1994 ]] Emerson Fittipaldi (born December 12, 1946, São Paulo, Brazil) is a highly successful open-wheel racing series driver Brazilian, winning world championships in both Formula One and CART, and the Indianapolis 500 twice. and they're really in the twilight of their careers. And there's Michael Andretti Michael Mario Andretti (born October 5, 1962 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is an American retired CART and Formula One driver with Italian heritage. He now co-owns the Andretti Green Racing team in the Indy Racing League. . `` . . . It does feel strange. I still have so much to learn in racing.'' Clearly, Unser has gotten better with age. He had his biggest season in 1994 - winning a record-shattering $3,535,813 - and followed that with a solid season last year - $1,369,000 and a second-place finish Noun 1. second-place finish - a finish in second place (as in a race) runner-up finish finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the in the points standings. After three races this season, he's tied for fourth place in the standings but looms ominously: He'll be the favorite in Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix Grand Prix n. pl. Grand Prix Any of several competitive international road races for sports cars of specific engine size over an exacting, usually risky course. of Long Beach, a race he's won six times - including the past two years. What's his secret? Commitment. He was born into a family of accomplished race-car drivers and continues to embrace the tradition. In fact, he insists racing consumes more of his life than it ever has. Aside from his immediate family - wife Shelly and three kids - it's what defines him. For example, even with the millions he has earned, he has not ventured seriously into the business world as many other successful drivers have. He and his father own a bed-and-breakfast but it's up for sale. Asked what he might do after he retires, he responded with a resounding re·sound v. re·sound·ed, re·sound·ing, re·sounds v.intr. 1. To be filled with sound; reverberate: The schoolyard resounded with the laughter of children. 2. , ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. .'' ``All I ever wanted to do was be a race-car driver. It's all I know. ``. . . Basically, I think about it 24 hours a day. I have to. It's becoming harder and harder to win in this series, it's so danged competitive out here. You make one little mistake and you get passed. ``. . . These younger drivers aren't nipping nip·ping adj. 1. Sharp and biting, as the cold. 2. Bitingly sarcastic. nip  ping·ly adv.Adj. at my heels; they're taking chunks out of my feet,'' he said. Indeed, he feels as much pressure as ever attempting to keep pace with talented and hungry young drivers in the ever-evolving sport, admitting, ``Pretty soon you end up taking (antacid antacid, any one of several basic substances that counteract stomach acidity (see stomach). Antacids are used by physicians to treat hyperchlorhydria, i.e., the excessive production of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells lining the stomach. ) for your stomach every morning. The pressure's immense.'' How does he cope? In his old age, Unser has learned to control his temper - win or lose - he said. One day it dawned on him: There's always next week, a realization that has helped to keep stress to a manageable level. And, of course, there's always dad. In terms of advice, it's an inexhaustible source of comfort knowing one of racing's legendary drivers is in the family and almost always close by. ``My dad is very much a part of my racing career,'' Unser said. ``He was kind of burned out for a couple of years but he's getting to more and more races. ``He just has a massive amount of experience. It's great to have him to bounce ideas off of. He's very good to me.'' Now, the younger Unser also has a massive amount of experience. On road courses, with the rigors of constant turns, braking and acceleration, a young driver can compensate for lack of experience to some extent with strength and stamina. Don't mess with mess with Verb Informal, chiefly US to interfere in, or become involved with, a dangerous person, thing, or situation: he had started messing with drugs Unser on the ovals, however. At more consistent speeds, subtle strategy plays a larger role in the outcome of races and no one does it better than Unser, who said ``as long as there are ovals, there's a chance for the old guard.'' The younger drivers point out that Unser is no slouch slouch v. slouched, slouch·ing, slouch·es v.intr. 1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture. 2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat. v. on any course. ``He's just unbelievable in race situations,'' said Alex Zanardi Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi, (born October 23, 1966 in Bologna, Italy), is an Italian racing driver. He won two CART championship titles in North America during the late 1990s. He also had a less successful career as a Formula One driver. , in his first season on the IndyCar circuit. ``He can be nowhere in qualifying but eventually you'll find him in front of you. In the last race, he started 15th and, after the first quarter of the race, he was running third. `` . . . If you see him in your mirrors, you better worry.'' Unser said he already has lived his childhood dreams. He has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, he watched his father win four Indy 500s and he has won two IndyCar points championships. He could retire today as one of racing's great champions. Still, the love of the game, the love of winning keeps him motivated. He is not going anywhere, at least not yet. ``I'm close to halfway through my career,'' he said. ``As long as I stay healthy, I'll keep racing. Hopefully I'll be in the business another 15 years.'' 22ND ANNUAL TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH What: The 22nd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is round four of the 1996 PPG PPG Points Per Game (basketball player statistic) PPG Power Play Goals (hockey) PPG Planning Policy Guidance (UK) PPG Programmable Pulse Generator PPG Power Puff Girls IndyCar World Series. When:Friday through Sunday. Where: The downtown streets of Long Beach. Start/finish line on Shoreline Drive. The circuit: 1.59 miles, eight turns; 18 grandstands, seven Diamond Vision Big Screen Boards. Support events: Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is an annual 10-lap auto race held each April since 1977 as part of the United States Grand Prix West, and later the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend on the street course at Long Beach, California. ; Player's/Toyota Atlantic Championship (open-wheel Toyota-powered race cars); PPG-Firestone Indy Lights Championship (official developmental series for the PPG IndyCar World Series); SCCA SCCA Sports Car Club of America SCCA Seattle Cancer Care Alliance SCCA Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCCA Southern California Cricket Association SCCA Southern California Contractors Association SCCA Sonoma County Conservation Action Trans-Am Championship (big-bore Chevy Camaros and Ford Mustangs). Schedule: Friday: Gates open at 7 a.m.; Firestone Indy Lights qualifying, 1:30-2 p.m.; IndyCar qualifying, 2:30-3:45 p.m.; Toyota Pro/Celebrity qualifying, 4:40-5:10 p.m.; Player's/Toyota Atlantic qualifying, 5:25-5:55 p.m. Saturday: Gates open at 7 a.m.; Toyota Atlantic qualifying, 11:10-11:35 a.m.; IndyCar qualifying, noon-1:15 p.m.; Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, 1:45-2:15 p.m. (10 laps); Firestone Indy Lights qualifying, 3-3:30 p.m.; Player's/Toyota Atlantic Championship 3:45-4:45 (38 laps); Trans-Am qualifying, 5-5:45 p.m. Sunday: Gates open at 7 a.m.; Firestone Indy Lights Championship, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (47 laps); Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, 1-3 p.m. (105 laps); Trans Am Classic, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tickets: Tickets are on sale at the Grand Prix ticket office near the corner of First Street and Linden Avenue (430 E. First St.) and at all California Ticketmaster locations, including Tower Records/Video, Blockbuster Music, Robinson-May stores and Ritmo Latino. Telephone orders will be accepted at (310) 436-9953 or (800) 752-9524. AL UNSER JR. Age: 33 Home: Albuquerque, N.M. Team: Marlboro Team Penske Family ties: Son and nephew of all-time greats Al Unser Sr. and Bobby Unser IndyCar experience: 15th season IndyCar victories: 31 (a series record) IndyCar earnings (before this season): $16,748,906 (a series record) Last season: Finished second to Jacques Villeneuve in the PPG Cup points standings, 172 to 161 Career highlights: Had huge 1994 season, when he won eight races in 16 starts and earned a record $3,535,813; won the Indy 500 in 1992 and 1994; has won six Long Beach Grand Prixs, including four straight (1988-'91) and the past two. CAPTION(S): 4 Photos, 2 Boxes Photo: (1-2--color) ``These younger drivers are n't nipping at my heels; they're taking chunks out of my feet.'' Al Unser Jr. (3) Once known primarily as the son of a famous racer, Al Unser Jr. is now a 15-year veteran of the IndyCar driving circuit with an impressive reputation of his own. Unser won almost $5 million the last two seasons and going into Sunday's Long Beach Grand Prix - which he has won six times - he is fourth in this year's standings. (4--color) ``All I ever wanted to do was be a race-car driver,'' says Al Unser Jr. ``It's all I know.'' He and his father have won six Indianapolis 500s between them. Special to the Daily News Box: (1) 22ND ANNUAL TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH (see text) (2) AL UNSER JR. (see text) |
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