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Al Unser Jr: A Checkered Past
One of the greatest stories in motorsports. Winning came naturally to Al Unser Jr. Born into a racing family, he had a gift for finding the fast line on the track. By the time he was nine years old, he could draw the quickest way through the corner on paper and intuitively apply his sketch while on the go-kart track. By his teen years, the innate sense for the fast way made him unstoppably quick when he was racing through the woods on a snowmobile, on a dirt track, in a sprint car, or on a race course. As his career progressed from the kart track victories to following in the footsteps of his famed uncle, Bobby, and father, Al, the wins grew in stature from junior titles to the very top echelon of his sport. Two Indy 500 victories. A pair of IndyCar championships. In addition, Unser was not just a winning driver―he also possessed a boisterous and lovable personality. The fans and the press adored him. Al Unser Jr. was on top of the world. A Checkered Past tells that story―but it doesn’t stop there. His gifts as a driver and his easy affability were the public persona. Behind the scenes, his appetite for drugs and alcohol were destroying his private life. Spurred on by his spiraling substance abuse problem, his marriage turned volatile. When he retired as a driver, the trouble amplified. Domestic violence arrests. Multiple DUIs. Repeated visits to rehab centers. Divorce. Financial ruin. A dark dive into depression and isolation that led to a suicide attempt. Unser’s battle to climb out of that cave is one of the great stories in motorsports. A Checkered Pastis an unblinking look at how even our most celebrated sports heroes struggle with human frailty. Turn the page, and you’ll discover an inspirational story of triumph, tragedy, and the road to recovery.
- GenresNonfictionRacingSports
302 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
29 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 11, 2022
"Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are Might Have Been."
Al Unser Jr was auto racing royalty. His family had been racing since the 1930s. His father won the Indianapolis 500 four times. His uncle Bobby won the Indianapolis 500 three times. Another uncle, Jerry, died at the Indianapolis Speedway before Al Jr. was born.
And beginning in the early 80s, Little Al, as he was known, was the crown prince with perhaps more talent than any driver since Mario Andretti. He won championships in Indycar. He won the Indianapolis 500 twice, and two other times had wins within at in his sights at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
And he threw it all away.
That's the story the Unser tells in this book. How he got hooked on marijuana and alcohol, with occasional episodes with cocaine, his wife's choice of drugs. In the end, Unser's addictions cost him his talent, his family, his career, his fortune and his legacy -- tarnishing a family legacy built for decades.
The book is pretty honest. I think there are still times when Unser hides his own blame, pushing it off at times on his ex-wife, his financial planners, his car owners. But Unser does not hide the fact that he hit absolute rock bottom -- put a gun to your head bottom.
He found religion and seems to be getting control of himself. But there still seems to be some growing and some challenges facing him. Only time will tell if his recovery is permanent.
The book is well-written by Jade Gurss. There's a lot in it for Indycar racing fans. So why not a higher rating? I think it's because I saw how much talent Al Unser Jr. had. He was the real deal. He could have been a four or five time winner at Indianapolis. He could have been the first American to win in Formula 1 since Mario Andretti. He could have put the crown on the Unser claim to the greatest racing family ever.
Instead, he threw it away. And as I read this book, time after time I cringed at Unser's poor judgment, at his turning away all those offers of people to help him, at his immaturity that continued well into his 30s, 40s, even 50s. It made me angry to see such talent thrown away.
Al Unser Jr was auto racing royalty. His family had been racing since the 1930s. His father won the Indianapolis 500 four times. His uncle Bobby won the Indianapolis 500 three times. Another uncle, Jerry, died at the Indianapolis Speedway before Al Jr. was born.
And beginning in the early 80s, Little Al, as he was known, was the crown prince with perhaps more talent than any driver since Mario Andretti. He won championships in Indycar. He won the Indianapolis 500 twice, and two other times had wins within at in his sights at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
And he threw it all away.
That's the story the Unser tells in this book. How he got hooked on marijuana and alcohol, with occasional episodes with cocaine, his wife's choice of drugs. In the end, Unser's addictions cost him his talent, his family, his career, his fortune and his legacy -- tarnishing a family legacy built for decades.
The book is pretty honest. I think there are still times when Unser hides his own blame, pushing it off at times on his ex-wife, his financial planners, his car owners. But Unser does not hide the fact that he hit absolute rock bottom -- put a gun to your head bottom.
He found religion and seems to be getting control of himself. But there still seems to be some growing and some challenges facing him. Only time will tell if his recovery is permanent.
The book is well-written by Jade Gurss. There's a lot in it for Indycar racing fans. So why not a higher rating? I think it's because I saw how much talent Al Unser Jr. had. He was the real deal. He could have been a four or five time winner at Indianapolis. He could have been the first American to win in Formula 1 since Mario Andretti. He could have put the crown on the Unser claim to the greatest racing family ever.
Instead, he threw it away. And as I read this book, time after time I cringed at Unser's poor judgment, at his turning away all those offers of people to help him, at his immaturity that continued well into his 30s, 40s, even 50s. It made me angry to see such talent thrown away.
January 23, 2022
Hot laps, a hot mess and hopes for redemption
I’m older than Al Jr. in fact, my Dad and I went to sprint car races where his Uncle Louie was a tough competitor and legendary SoCal engine builder. You just expected any Unser to be a genius behind the wheel.
But what’s the old saying? “Don’t look under the covers.” Heroes are human and flawed like us all.
By his own account, Al Unser Jr. fought his demons, mostly unsuccessfully, since his childhood, and his racing successes were a veneer hiding a really troubled and often tragic life.
This book is more confession and therapy than anything else and, especially for a life-long race fan, is often tough to read. But it contains warnings and lessons for us all.
I hope it also brings some peace and stability to Al Jr. and his often-troubled heart.
I’m older than Al Jr. in fact, my Dad and I went to sprint car races where his Uncle Louie was a tough competitor and legendary SoCal engine builder. You just expected any Unser to be a genius behind the wheel.
But what’s the old saying? “Don’t look under the covers.” Heroes are human and flawed like us all.
By his own account, Al Unser Jr. fought his demons, mostly unsuccessfully, since his childhood, and his racing successes were a veneer hiding a really troubled and often tragic life.
This book is more confession and therapy than anything else and, especially for a life-long race fan, is often tough to read. But it contains warnings and lessons for us all.
I hope it also brings some peace and stability to Al Jr. and his often-troubled heart.
November 29, 2021
Honest, incredible summary of a troubled life
I've been an IndyCar fan since the early 90s. I was a huge Andretti fan and as Michael did well and gave little thought to Al Jr.
Looking back retrospectively now and seeing what he went through. The amount of chaos. The amount of destructive and toxic relationships. The substance abuse. Al Jr. is so honest, straightforward and able to concede where he went wrong and how he always ran to a substance and continued until he was at rock bottom and ready to end his life. From there, with the help of friends, family, and his faith, he has been able to stay clean and almost start a second life.
Read this. It is excellent.
I've been an IndyCar fan since the early 90s. I was a huge Andretti fan and as Michael did well and gave little thought to Al Jr.
Looking back retrospectively now and seeing what he went through. The amount of chaos. The amount of destructive and toxic relationships. The substance abuse. Al Jr. is so honest, straightforward and able to concede where he went wrong and how he always ran to a substance and continued until he was at rock bottom and ready to end his life. From there, with the help of friends, family, and his faith, he has been able to stay clean and almost start a second life.
Read this. It is excellent.
April 22, 2024
Inside look from Al Unser, Jr. on his storied career and his for long "best kept secret" about drug and alcohol abuse.
I was a huge fan of Al Jr., and I remember someone once talking about how he was clean and wholesome. We learned differently, of course, as his career began to wind down, much of it due to his off-track behavior.
Unser Jr. is fearless in bringing to light his past insecurities and his continuing fight to live his best life. As a fan of him and of Indy car racing, I found the book to be a good read.
I was a huge fan of Al Jr., and I remember someone once talking about how he was clean and wholesome. We learned differently, of course, as his career began to wind down, much of it due to his off-track behavior.
Unser Jr. is fearless in bringing to light his past insecurities and his continuing fight to live his best life. As a fan of him and of Indy car racing, I found the book to be a good read.
October 8, 2021
Not an easy read
I chose this book because I have a background in motorsports. I also lost a son to alcoholism. I'm still searching for insight and understanding. To read Al's story is painful, sometimes heartbraking, and often frustrating. In a way Al was fortunate for so many "second chances".
I don't share Al's views on Christianity,but if that gets him through each day so much the better for him.
I chose this book because I have a background in motorsports. I also lost a son to alcoholism. I'm still searching for insight and understanding. To read Al's story is painful, sometimes heartbraking, and often frustrating. In a way Al was fortunate for so many "second chances".
I don't share Al's views on Christianity,but if that gets him through each day so much the better for him.
November 3, 2021
Racing and Redemption
“Life in the Fast Lane” both literally and figuratively! One of the great racing stars of the 80’s and 90’s lays open his fall into physical and spiritual destruction. Race fans saw the public highs and lows; but this a great behind the scenes look at the truth of it all…and how Al is now beginning to put his life back together thru a relationship with the One who has loved him all along his journey!
“Life in the Fast Lane” both literally and figuratively! One of the great racing stars of the 80’s and 90’s lays open his fall into physical and spiritual destruction. Race fans saw the public highs and lows; but this a great behind the scenes look at the truth of it all…and how Al is now beginning to put his life back together thru a relationship with the One who has loved him all along his journey!
November 27, 2022
Great story of racing career with all the personal struggles
Loved Al Jr in the 90's - enjoyed all the details of Indy cars and his journey. I hated the destructive decisions he made and the people he used. I am so happy for his redemption and the new life in Christ. I was very moved by the book and highly recommend it to Indy car fans and as encouragement to those struggling with addictive behaviors.
Loved Al Jr in the 90's - enjoyed all the details of Indy cars and his journey. I hated the destructive decisions he made and the people he used. I am so happy for his redemption and the new life in Christ. I was very moved by the book and highly recommend it to Indy car fans and as encouragement to those struggling with addictive behaviors.
January 9, 2022
Being an Unser isn't easy
Growing up as a fan of Little Al, I assumed he lived a charmed existence. This told me otherwise. Life was harder for him than I ever imagined, I just had no clue how much he put himself and others through. I'm glad he was frank with readers about what he went through and how much work he still has to do.
Growing up as a fan of Little Al, I assumed he lived a charmed existence. This told me otherwise. Life was harder for him than I ever imagined, I just had no clue how much he put himself and others through. I'm glad he was frank with readers about what he went through and how much work he still has to do.
December 10, 2021
A great story for anyone
I grew up as a fan of Al Jr. and I always wondered what happened to him. I’m glad to hear it from his own words. I think this would be a great story for anyone to read, you don’t have to like racing to appreciate a story of struggle and triumph.
I grew up as a fan of Al Jr. and I always wondered what happened to him. I’m glad to hear it from his own words. I think this would be a great story for anyone to read, you don’t have to like racing to appreciate a story of struggle and triumph.
April 12, 2022
Highly-recommended. Brilliant. A racing chronicle, but so much more. What a brave thing for Little Al to tell his story like he has, warts and all. It was hard to read at times, such was the trauma of his life, but a powerful story.
June 10, 2022
Riveting
I followed Al Jr.s career and met him and Shelley many times at the tracks. I had no idea of his struggles. Very cool to re-live some of the races through his perspective. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in two days.
I followed Al Jr.s career and met him and Shelley many times at the tracks. I had no idea of his struggles. Very cool to re-live some of the races through his perspective. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in two days.
Read
December 6, 2022"Al Unser Jr. A Checkered Past" is a perfect title for his book. Truthful, scary, honest, disappointing, and resilent are a few words that some-up his "turned life around". Because I am a fan of racing Indy, Formula 1, and NASCAR I purchased this book for myself; but I wouldn't reread it.
March 7, 2023
Great read
I have always been a fan of AL Unser Jr the DRIVER. Now I am a fan of AL Unser Jr THE MAN. I encourage others to read the book whether or not you are a race fan. It's about winning in life.
I have always been a fan of AL Unser Jr the DRIVER. Now I am a fan of AL Unser Jr THE MAN. I encourage others to read the book whether or not you are a race fan. It's about winning in life.
October 30, 2021
The legends of motorsport should be knocking down Jade Gurss' door to get him to work on a book with them.
January 28, 2022
Amazing
Loved everything! A great read if you're a fan of racing..a story of ultimate accomplishment! Great photos and history of Al and his amazing career. Couldn't put it down.
Loved everything! A great read if you're a fan of racing..a story of ultimate accomplishment! Great photos and history of Al and his amazing career. Couldn't put it down.
March 17, 2022
The book tells the story of an exceptional race car driver and reveals his challenges both on and off the track. I applaud Al Jr. for sharing this very personal story. Well done Mr. Gurss.
April 2, 2022
Outstanding and very revealing
July 8, 2022
A great and eye-opening look into the (wild) life of Al Unser Jr. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, drugs, alcohol, fast cars and broken hearts. All the ingredients of a good story.
January 26, 2023
Triumph and tragedy
Very interesting read. I hope he continues to be ok. A truly great driver from a great racing family. Lots of great details from his racing days.
Very interesting read. I hope he continues to be ok. A truly great driver from a great racing family. Lots of great details from his racing days.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews