Anything on Unser, Jr.??

[UnserJrFan]

Just wondered if anyone out there knew of anything "new" happening as far as Al getting a ride for next season. I believe the deal with Kelley is not going to happen, but have heard the "Al to Patrick Racing" rumors, if Patrick comes to the IRL. Thanks for any info you might be able to give...!!

[damilt]

Apparently not.

[Jim Wilke]

A few hints here:

“I’ve been talking with Kelley and with Patrick Racing, and I consider both of them ’A’ teams,” Unser said. “But I don’t think anything is going to come together until after we get down the road a little.”

Jim Freudenberg, Kelley vice president of operations, said the team would gladly re-sign Unser as Scott Sharp’s teammate if a primary sponsor for Unser’s car can be found to replace Corteco, which left at the end of the season.

“We are currently working on a number of scenarios to make that happen,” Freudenberg said. “Al is a legend in the sport of open-wheel racing and is still very competitive.”

Patrick, one of the rival CART series’ original teams, has been rumored to be moving to the IRL in 2004. Team owner U.E. Patrick, who fields cars for Spaniard Oriol Servia in CART, said the team is exploring options for next season.

But the team owner acknowledged he has talked with Unser and several other drivers about 2004 and said he would not hesitate to hire the former CART champion.

“Al Jr. has proven over the years that he is a very competitive driver and we absolutely believe he will be competitive in the future,” Patrick said.

Link

[Hurling Frootmig]

I have a lot of respect for Pat Patrick but I just don't see big things from Al Jr. in open wheel be it CART or the IRL. JPM showed Al how good some of these young guys are when Al spouted off a few years ago. I think Al would be better served to hook up with a good NASCAR team and run a select schedule next year with an eye towards doing it full time after that. If Al keeps his life together the way he needs to he can still race at a very high level in stock cars or sports cars. I just believe his best open wheel days are behind him.

[frankie13]

Originally posted by Hurling Frootmig
I have a lot of respect for Pat Patrick but I just don't see big things from Al Jr. in open wheel be it CART or the IRL. JPM showed Al how good some of these young guys are when Al spouted off a few years ago. I think Al would be better served to hook up with a good NASCAR team and run a select schedule next year with an eye towards doing it full time after that. If Al keeps his life together the way he needs to he can still race at a very high level in stock cars or sports cars. I just believe his best open wheel days are behind him.

Its amazing to me that if a guy is 21 and finishes 15th in points he is so desired yet if he is 41 and finishes 6th everyone is ready to throw in the towel.

I think Al's comments about JPM were basically saying that Montoya didnt respect Indy and only cared about F1. No doubt Montoya is a great driver but something tells me his Indy 500 win doesnt exactly rank up there in his most treasured momments.

[AlJRFAN]

I think Al would be better served to hook up with a good NASCAR team and run a select schedule next year with an eye towards doing it full time after that.

I think YOU would be better off not saying anything at all.

[Hurling Frootmig]

Originally posted by AlJRFAN
I think YOU would be better off not saying anything at all.

YOU are welcome to disagree with my opinion but I am entitled to have it in spite of what you seem to think.

[Hurling Frootmig]

Originally posted by frankie13

I think Al's comments about JPM were basically saying that Montoya didnt respect Indy and only cared about F1. No doubt Montoya is a great driver but something tells me his Indy 500 win doesnt exactly rank up there in his most treasured momments.

I would have to agree with you there.

[NMRacer]

Look for an announcement before Christmas on Al's plans for 2004. He will be in an IRL ride in 2004. I won't mention any names here, but he will run a full season next year.

[AlJRFAN]

The question at the top asked if anyone had anything new on al jr not to "WEIGH IN" on how bad u think he might be.

[R_Mears_Fan]

Originally posted by AlJRFAN
The question at the top asked if anyone had anything new on al jr not to "WEIGH IN" on how bad u think he might be.

Who did that? Because someone thought he'd be in a better position if he went to NASCAR? More money, more fame, longer racing life. It makes sense. Nobody had anything negative to say about him.

[UnserJrFan]

Is it a fairly strong team NMRacer? Or possibly a new team to the series?

[Racewriter]

Originally posted by R_Mears_Fan
Who did that? Because someone thought he'd be in a better position if he went to NASCAR? More money, more fame, longer racing life. It makes sense. Nobody had anything negative to say about him.

It's a compliment to suggest that Al Jr. make the step up to NASCAR.

[BSJracing]

Originally posted by Racewriter
It's a compliment to suggest that Al Jr. make the step up to NASCAR.

Unless Al Jr views it as I do, as a step down

[AlJRFAN]

Who did that?

but I just don't see big things from Al Jr...
his best open wheel days are behind him.

If thats not weighing in, i dont know what is.