INDIANAPOLIS — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. is sharing his personal story of past addiction with students in hopes they can make different choices in life.
Unser Jr. spoke at Hope Academy, a high school for students in recovery, Thursday morning.
He said he started drinking when he was 16 and it was something he struggled with during his racing years, even leading to alcholism.
Unser Jr. said it caused challenges in his personal and professional life, and he hopes his message resonates with kids.
"I talked about my experience, you know, that I've had with the disease," he said. "I hope I gave them some strength and gave them some hope that it can be a beautiful life being sober."
Unser Jr. said his struggle with addiction is something he has in common with the students at Hope Academy, so maybe Thursday's talk can help inspire those students to recover and stay down a path of sobriety.
