Al Unser, Jr. arrested in Avon, Indiana for OWI

Retired Indy car driver Al Unser, Jr. was arrested early this morning in Avon, Indiana for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

The Avon Police Department detained the 57-year-old Unser at 3:21 am on OWI charges and remains incarcerated with a $300 bond.

He has been arrested three times involving alcohol  -  2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and  2007 in Henderson, Nevada for drunk driving and in 2002 following an altercation with his girlfriend.

Unser has been public with his struggle and has attempted to reach sobriety. He spoke to students at Hope Academy in Indianapolis two weeks ago about his strife.

He serves as a consultant for NTT IndyCar Series team Harding Steinbrenner Racing. The team issued a statement this morning:

“The entire Harding Steinbrenner Racing organization is saddened to learn of Al Unser Jr’s arrest on an OWI charge. Alcoholism is a disease and a continuing battle for those struggling with it. At this time, we do support Al in any way that he needs.”

Unser was victorious in the Indianapolis 500 in 1992 and 1994 and won the Indy car championship in 1990 and 1994 and scored 34 career wins.