IROC: Unser Jr. to sub for Scott Goodyear in True Value IROC Series

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 1, 2001

TINTON FALLS, NJ - Two-time True Value IROC champion and fellow Indy Racing Northern Light series driver, Al Unser, Jr., will substitute for the injured Scott Goodyear in the June 9 True Value IROC race at Michigan International Speedway. Goodyear fractured his lower back in an accident during the Indianapolis 500 last Sunday.

IROC President Jay Signore said, "We'll miss not having Scott with us at Michigan; he's been a joy to work with, a great competitor, and representative of the Indy Racing Northern Light series. He needs to take care of himself, listen to Dr. Terry Trammell, and hopefully, we'll see him back for the finale at Indy. Unser, Jr., has a great track record in our series and we're confident he'll do a great job. We're grateful to have Al back and thank him for jumping in for Scott."

Al Unser, Jr., has competed 13 times in the True Value IROC series, won the championship in his rookie year, 1986 and repeated the championship in 1988. Four of his 11 total wins have been at Michigan International Speedway.

Al Unser, Jr., said, "The most important thing to me right now is that Scott Goodyear has a speedy recovery. As always it is a great honor to be invited to race in IROC, and I am looking forward to a very competitive race in Michigan.

Race three of the four part series that matches drivers from various forms of auto racing in equally prepared Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams will be broadcast on ESPN, Saturday, June 9 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

In order of point standings, the elite field are Bobby Labonte (NASCAR Winston Cup), Ricky Rudd (NASCAR Winston Cup), Kenny Brack (CART FedEx Series), Dale Jarrett (NASCAR Winston Cup), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (Indy Racing Northern Light Series), Buddy Lazier (Indy Racing Northern Light Series), Mark Dismore (Indy Racing Northern Light Series), Jeff Green (NASCAR Busch Series), Scott Goodyear (Indy Racing Northern Light Series), Jeff Burton (NASCAR Winston Cup), and Tony Stewart (NASCAR Winston Cup).

The total purse for the series is $1,025,000.00, with $250,000 going to the champion, based on points.

Text provided by George Signore

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