Miller reveals darker side to Unser Jr.

Al Unser Jr's open-wheel career is in limbo today after a shocking internet column from Robin Miller, one of CART's most respected journalists, publicly revealed the personal problems that the double CART Champion has been struggling with for several years and that culminated with his arrest in Indianapolis on Tuesday morning.

A column on American sports network ESPN's website by veteran American journalist Robin Miller has revealed that Kelley Racing's Al Unser Jr has been battling problems with alcohol and drugs and that his behaviour away from the circuit has been on a downward spiral for some time.

Miller's column, which can be accessed via http://rpm.espn.go.com/rpm/index, delves behind Unser Jr's arrest early on Tuesday morning on misdemeanour charges following a late-night altercation with his girlfriend in Indianapolis.

On Tuesday, Kelley Racing, who Unser currently drives for, issued a statement of support for their driver and stated that he would be driving for the team next weekend in Nashville. Following these latest revelations his participation is now in doubt.

According to Miller, many figures at the heart of the American Open Wheel community, have been aware of Unser Jr's drinking problems for some time but like Unser Jr, have remained silent. Until now.

Although nobody has suggested that Unser Jr has ever been under the influence of alcohol or drugs while racing, Miller's public acknowledgement that Unser Jr smokes marijuana and, according to his former Motorhome driver, takes cocaine, could force Unser Jr to take time away from the track and address his problems.

Since the publication of Miller's article, no comment from either Unser Jr or Kelley Racing has been forthcoming.