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Al Unser Jr. to serve as driver coach for KV Racing Technology in month of May

KV Racing Technology has gotten together with legendary open-wheel racer Al Unser Jr., who will assist the team as a driver coach this month.

Al Unser Jr.

Al Unser Jr.

Dave Dyer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - May 6, 2014 - KV Racing Technology announced today that one of the most recognized and famous names in auto racing, Al Unser Jr. will returns to the site of two of his greatest victories, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to serve as a driver coach during the month of May.

Al Jr., 52, who retired from competitive racing in 2007, had had one of the most distinguished careers in the history of American open wheel racing. In over a quarter of a century at the highest level of competition he started 329 races earning 34 career wins (sixth on the all-time list) including victories at the Indianapolis 500 in 1992 and 1994 and national championships in 1990 and 1994. The native of Albuquerque, New Mexico was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2009.

"I am very pleased to announce that Al Jr. will be working with the team during the month of May as a driver coach," said KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser. "Obviously, Al brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the team and will be a huge asset. You don't win the Indianapolis 500 twice and come from a family that has won it nine times without figuring out a few things that the other guys haven't."

Commenting on his role with the team Al Jr., who made his first IndyCar start in 1982 and drove for such legendary owners as Roger Penske, Rick Galles, Doug Shierson, U. E. "Pat" Patrick, Gerald Forsythe, and A. J. Foyt, said, "First and foremost I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven, Jimmy Vasser and Steve Moore for this opportunity. I think everyone knows how I feel about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and to be able to come back with the defending champions and try and help them repeat means a lot to me. I am just very thankful for this chance to work with the team's drivers and hopefully I can contribute in a meaningful way."

Al Jr. comes from one of motorsports greatest racing families. It includes his father Al Unser, a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Uncles Bobby Unser, a three-time Indy 500 winner and Jerry Unser, plus cousins Robby and Johnny Unser. Al Jr.'s career began in sprint cars in 1978. After three years (two in the World of Outlaw series), he graduated to Super Vee racing, driving for Albuquerque auto dealer and family friend, Rick Galles. The duo teamed-up to win the 1981 Sports Car Club of America Super Vee title and then captured the 1982 Can-Am championship. In addition, to the Super Vee, Can-Am and IndyCar titles, Al Jr. won the International Race of Champions (IROC) title in 1986 (at age 24 the youngest IROC champion ever) and 1988. He was also the ABC Wide World of Sports "Athlete of the Year" in 1994.

KV Racing Technology

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