Relationship between Little Al and Albert Unser?

[bigred]

In various threads, articles, and media reports over the past few years, Little Al and his son Albert (among other family members) have been reported as being somewhat estranged. That in itself itsn't entirely surprising considering some of the stories, rumors, and innuendo surrounding Little Al's lifestyle before his 2002 reality check. What is surprising to me is to read the ESPN.com reports about Little Al's accident. Initially, the comments from family members were from Al Sr. and from his sister Mary. But the link today has comments from his son Albert.

All of which got me thinking: Have Little Al and Albert repaired their relationship? Not that its any of our business, but it always saddened me to see this very public family in Indycar racing's history (and possibly its future) with such public and acrimonious fissures. If some healing between father and son happened due to this crisis, at least that is some small consolation.

[IndyJim]

I don't know, but I hope so.

I know that as i have gotten older, my dad has seemed to have gotten smarter over the years. When I was in high school, I was quite sure he didn't know that much!

[theunions]

The two of them did have lunch with Shelley during the St. Pete CART weekend (as reported by several media sources).

[Doctorindy]

Re: Relationship between Little Al and Albert Unser?

Originally posted by bigred
Albert

Albert Unser? I thought he went by Al Richard Unser?

Al Sr. has no middle name, neither does Al Jr., but Al the third does. You can decern that in a funny scene from the show Home Improvement when the three Unsers guest starred. Tim Allen's character had big trouble trying to figure out which Al he's talking to, including his assitant Al.

[theunions]

Re: Re: Relationship between Little Al and Albert Unser?

Originally posted by Doctorindy
Albert Unser? I thought he went by Al Richard Unser?

The Kirby book says it's Alfred Richard, but everything I've seen since his BDPS debut refers to Just Al as Albert.

[rockawaygirl]

I thought I'd read somewhere, once upon a time, that "Al" was short for Alfred. But I may be wrong.

[Spike]

Re: Relationship between Little Al and Albert Unser?

Originally posted by bigred
...Not that its any of our business...

Correct.

And yes, Jr.'s name is Alfred and his son's name is Albert.

[mario]

This article:

http://espn.go.com/rpm/irl/2003/1020/1642458.html

quotes Albert saying his dad is ok and will race next year so they clearly are talking.