TO CLOSE

Mario Andretti and Al Unser Jr. explain how the sound of cars is an important part of what racing fans love.
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Avon police stopped Monday to Monday the driver of the retired race car Al Unser Jr., accused of driving a vehicle intoxicated, according to the records.

Unser, 57, was booked at Hendricks County Jail at 3:21 am, while Bond was set at $ 300, according to records.

Al Unser Jr. (Photo: Hendricks County Sheriff's Office)

Unser has a history of offenses, including for driving while intoxicated and careless driving in New Mexico in 2011; and impaired driving and hit and run in Nevada in 2007.

Unser won the 500m of Indianapolis in 1992 and 1994. He competed in the race 19 times, most recently in 2007.

Al Unser Jr. sitting next to the Borg Warner Trophy

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Linda Vaughan kisses Al Unser Jr. after qualifying

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Al Unser Jr. talks about the next SVRA Pro

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Former IndyCar driver and winner of the Indianapolis 500, Al

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The Indy Legends Charity Pro / Am race on the last day

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Al Unser Sr. congratulates his son Al Unser Jr. after

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Ken Keltner of Herff Jones rubs Pro-Am's head

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OneAmerica President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Scott Davison, left,

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Al Unser Jr., on the right, discusses with Arie Luyendyk, on the left,

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Retired race driver Al Unser Jr. attends the fifth

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Al Unser Jr. comes out of the win after his victory

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Al Unser Jr. beats Scott Goodyear at the finish line

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Al Unser Jr., 1992 Indianapolis 500 laureate

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Al Unser and Al Unser Jr discuss racing strategies.

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Al Unser Jr. gives the green light to his training.

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Al Unser Jr., former winner of the Indianapolis 500, maintains

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Al Unser JR. left confers with his uncle, Bobby

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In one of the most dramatic finishes of Indianapolis

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Al Unser Jr and Sr became the first father and son

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Unser has openly spoken about his fight against alcoholism.

In 2016, Unser told IndyStar that his partner at the time had left after his arrest for drunk driving in Las Vegas in 2011.

"I stayed alone and I had never been alone," Unser said. "From the house of my parents who grew up to the apartment with (first wife) Shelley, never alone.

"(Most children) go to college, learn to live on their own, fall in love, have a broken heart. I have never had this before the age of 50. "

Unser told IndyStar that he was suddenly forced to cook for himself, do his own laundry and housework and "find out who I was."

"Believe me, there have been a lot of very, very dark days," said Unser.

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Call the IndyStar reporter, Vic Ryckaert, at 317-444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.

Read or share this story: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2019/05/20/al-unser-jr-arrested-owi-dui-avon-indiana-indy-500/3738991002/