ALBUQUERQUE — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was arrested early Thursday morning on charges of drunken driving and reckless driving in New Mexico after authorities said he was driving more than 100 mph, officials at the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department said.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Jennifer Brown confirmed that Unser, 49, was arrested around 3 a.m. just outside of Albuquerque, where he lives. Brown said Unser was drag racing another car in his Suburban and was going around
101 mph before sheriff's deputies caught up to him.

He was charged with reckless driving and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

According to a sheriff's report, Unser smelled of alcohol and was slurring his speech. Sheriff's deputies said his blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Unser was released from jail on his own recognizance.

It was unclear if he had an attorney. No one answered a phone call to a number listed under his name.

In a statement, IndyCar, sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series, said it was aware of the charges. Unser was working with IndyCar as a driving coach and a race control official.

"Al Unser Jr. has been suspended indefinitely and relieved of his duties in Race Control, pending further investigation," IndyCar said in a statement.

Thursday's arrest is not the first time Unser has had problems with the law.

In 2007, he pleaded no contest to a driving under the influence charge stemming from a January 2007 crash on a Nevada freeway. Nevada authorities said Unser's blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit and he failed field sobriety tests. As part of the plea deal, Unser lost his driver's license for 90 days, was fined $1,000 and had to attend a drunken driving school, a victim-impact panel and undergo alcohol abuse evaluation.

His lawyer at the time said Unser had stopped drinking and was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.




© Copyright Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.