Texas Motor Speedway News

4/14/2004-UNSER TO RETURN TO DEFEND BOMBARDIER 500k TITLE

Al Unser Jr. has great reason to look forward to the June 12 Bombardier 500k Indy Racing League IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. After all, he is the defending race winner.

But that is where the similarities end. Unser, winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1992 and 1994, will team with famous open-wheel owner U.E. "Pat" Patrick for an attempt to return to victory lane in "The Original Nighttime Indy Car Race."

Patrick is forming a team for competition in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series starting with the May 30 Indianapolis 500. Patrick will field Dallara chassis for Unser powered by Chevrolet engines.

Unser made 16 starts for Kelley Racing in 2003 including the victorious run in the Bombardier 500k.

Unser will have to contend with the most competitive IRL IndyCar Series field ever assembled at Texas Motor Speedway. Former Texas winner Sam Hornish Jr. has joined Helio Castroneves with Marlboro Team Penske for 2004. Also expected to compete are defending series champion Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Tomas Scheckter, Scott Sharp, Adrian Fernandez, Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon, Darren Manning, Buddy Rice, Alex Barron, Bryan Herta, Robbie Buhl, A.J. Foyt IV and Ed Carpenter.

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