Once more, from the bottom: after hitting a professional low, Al Unser Jr. is hoping that a new team and a renewed spirit will result in his long-awaited return to greatness - Cover Story

AL UNSER JR. FOUND HIMSELF in a unique position on New Year's Day 2002: unemployed. The open-wheel legend had suffered a series of ups and mostly downs since the mid-1990s--entering this season, he'd won only two races since 1995--but this was the first time he had started a calendar year without a ride since 1985.

If that wasn't bad enough, there were whispers that Unser was going through the motions and had lost the competitive edge that carried him to two Indianapolis 500 victories, 31 CART triumphs, and two CART titles.

Those whispers may have been just the push Unser needed. He has redoubled his efforts this year and is determined to shake the dust of the past half-dozen years.

Ironically, Unser ended 2001 on a relatively high note. Those two recent wins were earned after he joined the IRL in 2000, and he finished last season with his best streak in years--three consecutive top-10s, including a first-place finish at the Gateway Indy 250.

In the end, though, it didn't matter. Team Galles--for which Unser first drove from 1981 through '84 before rejoining it in 1988--disbanded following the season due to its lack of sponsorship. Unser's sanctuary through his recent lean years no longer existed, forcing him to scramble for a ride long after most teams were set for the 2002 season.

Unser was rumored to be first in line for a seat that became available after the expansion of Cheever Racing. However, there were rumblings that Cheever's sponsor--the energy and fitness drink Red Bull--wasn't happy with the choice. It wanted someone who would represent the product's image better than the doughy Unser.

The driver heard the rumor--and those questioning his heart--and worked to change the impression others had of him. The 40-year-old Albuquerque native began a serious off-season training regimen. It worked. He shed 30 pounds and is in his best shape in years. The nickname "Little Al" no longer seems flippant

Unser says he didn't subject himself to a fitness program in order to prove anything to himself, but to demonstrate to skeptics that he is still as serious about racing as he has ever been. "My level of desire has always been the same," says Unser. "I never doubted myself. It's been other people who have doubted me. They wanted to see a leaner, fitter Al Jr., so I that's exactly what I gave them. There's nothing I won't do to race these cars."

Unser didn't get the job with Cheever, but he was able to attract a new sponsor to the IRL (Corteco) and land a ride with Kelley Racing, teaming with Scott Sharp and taking a seat that briefly belonged to Greg Ray. Formed in 1997, Kelley Racing is in its sixth IRL season.

Even though Unser wound up with Kelley Racing, Eddie Cheever Jr. still helped get Little Al's career in order. Cheever was the one who recommended a trainer to Unser. "I went to Tampa and spent two weeks at the Saddlebrook Resort with Pat Etcheberry, one of the finest trainers in the country," says Unser. "He put me through hell for 14 consecutive days. I even threw up on each of the first two days. We did two hours in the morning and then two hours in the afternoon. I did almost every kind of training you could name. I ran, lifted weights, did calisthenics, biked, swam--you name it, I did it. It was very hard, but eventually it became fun."

"Al surprised me," says Etcheberry. "I knew that his background didn't include a lot of exercise. I didn't know how he would respond to serious training, but I still pushed him. Now I know why he's such a tough driver. I couldn't break him down--mentally or physically. He improved quite a bit over those two weeks. I definitely think we toughened him up a bit."

The hard work paid off. Unser received a call from Jay Signore asking him to participate in the True Value IROC series. In the 2002 opener at Daytona International Speedway, Unser led most of the later half of the event before losing to Tony Stewart on the final lap.

After that run, the phone rang again. This time it was Kelley. Unser was set for the 2002 IRL campaign and relieved that he'd be able to run in the Indianapolis 500. That race has always defined him as a driver.

After this season's first four events, Unser was ranked eighth in the points. His best performance was a fifth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway. He was even back out in front at Nazareth Speedway in April, leading 54 laps in the Firestone Indy 225.

While such runs we're promising, they weren't good enough to satisfy Unser. He believes the team can, and will, get better. "The Corteco/Bryant team is doing an incredible job getting ready for each race," says Unser. "We put forth a great team effort and we've improved the car with each race.

"I told our guys in Miami in March that we're only as good as our last race, and that race wasn't very good. Then we went out and finished fifth at Phoenix in the next race. Hopefully, we'll keep building on that momentum throughout the season. I'm very excited about my chances to win races with this team."