To put the story in perspective, here is a modified clip from my post less than two years ago.

Indy Car racer, 2 time Indy 500 winner, 2 time CART series champ, 2 time IROC series champ, 24 hours of Daytona winner, NASCAR driver, and substance abuser, Al Unser Jr was arrested in Henderson. He was involved in a hit and run near Stephanie and I-215, and kept driving.


Fast forward to today, this is the second time that I have seen Al Unser Jr on TV, doing an advertisement. The company is called Ticket Wackers, and it's a pretty cheesy commercial. Little Al says, "get your ticket fixed quicker than I ran the Indy 500".


Is something wrong with this picture?

He must be really desperate for money.

It's amazing how some people who achieve fame and fortune don't know how to handle it (Unser, OJ, Pete Rose, many actors you see on TV and movies). They must get to a point in their lives where they think they're invincible and think they can do whatever they want, not considering the consequences. I actually find it a bit sad.

I agree with mike, it is all a bit sad.

I guess retired race car drivers don't have endorsement deals lining up for them?

I didn't see it as desperate for money as much as the irony of a race car driver who abused his privileges behind the wheel to a multiple felony level and is trying to get someone else out of trouble.

There is the point of doing commercials when you "should" be financially stable. However, just watch a few commercials for diet plans shipped to your front door. Look at the sports stars we once had respect for that have gone that route.

I guess it a "squeeze every last drop out of the grape" kinda thing!

I found it REALLY sad when I saw Pete Rose at a sports memorabilia store at the Forum Shops in Caesars. He was there to sign autographs. He was sitting at a table all by himself and there were no customers around. I ALMOST took pity on him and gave him some business but I just walked on. It was too depressing.

Pete is there on a regular basis. On more than a couple of occasions he has done events with little league baseball kids and gotten into trouble. His sloppiness, foul language, and breath suggested an alcohol problem.

At the Forum Shops, he used to sit outside the store on a table. He has since moved inside the store. I kinda paused when I walked by a few months ago, and like you, I thought it was a sad situation.

He never grabbed my attention in his playing days even though he was all over the news and commercials. Was he outgoing and personable? I kinda wonder if maybe he just doesn't have that bubbly personality to talk to people all day, especially about his dark side. Is he a train wreck?

When I saw him, he was sitting at that table outside the store. I have no idea if he was personable and/or a train wreck. He was just sitting there watching people go by. Although I didn't linger long, I felt embarrassed to stare at him.