Johnny Unser To Replace
Injured Mike Groff
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jonathan Byrd/Cunningham Racing
announced today the designation of Johnny Unser as the replacement for
team driver Mike Groff, who was injured in an early practice session for
Saturday's IRL race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Mike Groff was injured this week in practice.
Groff, current IRL points leader, spun in turn four before making
contact with the wall, and was treated at Harris Medical Center in Ft.
Worth before being transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for
successful surgery to repair a fractured left tibia. It is hoped that
Groff will return to the driver's seat at Charlotte in late July. The
accident left the Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria/Bryant Heating &
Cooling-sponsored team without a driver for this weekend's True Value
500 and the Pikes Peak International Raceway event in late June. After
considering several potential drivers, Unser was selected to fill the
vacancy for this race with an option for the next event.
"We are happy to have someone of his quality to fill in for Mike,"
announced Jonathan Byrd, team co-owner. "We will be ready for final
practice tomorrow night and we'll start from the back of the field. Our
goal is to hold onto the points lead from the owner's side of the
equation."
Unser, 38, drove to an 18th place finish at last month*s Indianapolis
500 (his second time at the prestigious event) at the wheel of the
Hemelgarn Racing Dallara/Infiniti. His career highlights include a win
at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1989, Rookie of the Year honors in the
American IndyCar Series in 1990, where he also finished second in the
point standing, and a second place finish in the 24 Hours of LeMans in
1995. Additionally, Unser finished a respectable ninth in his IRL debut
at the Dura-Lube 200 at Phoenix in 1996.
Johnny Unser drove for Hemelgarn last month at Indy.
"It was an extreme honor to be called by Jonathan Byrd, who has put
together so many great race teams over the years." stated Unser. "It is
also an honor to fill in for Mike, who I have the greatest respect for
as a driver and as an individual."
"I'm very pleased to renew my relationship with Clayton Cunningham, who
I had the pleasure of driving for in 1986." Unser continued. "I
couldn't be happier than to be with this crew, who has demonstrated
their abilities this season by being the points leader."
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