AL UNSER JR. PLEASED WITH PROGRESS FOLLOWING HOMESTEAD TEST SESSION HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Feb. 27, 1999) - Various fuel pickup and mechanical problems failed to dampen Al Unser Jr.'s enthusiasm during a testing session Friday and Saturday at Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex.

Al Unser Jr.

The driver for Marlboro Team Penske feels he will be a contender to win his third CART championship, and will be looking to score the team's 100th victory when the CART FedEx Championship Series opens its season March 21 with the Miami Grand Prix Presented by Toyota.

"It's going to be a very exciting season," explained the 36-year-old second generation driver. "The CART FedEx Championship Series is the most competitive it's ever been in its history. With Alex Zanardi going over into Formula One, I really feel the championship is up for grabs in a big way, and with the development of our Marlboro car, we're feeling very good about it. The gearbox is looking very good, and I feel we've licked all of our mechanical woes and problems that we had last year. I'm looking forward to a great season."

Unser won the CART PPG Cup in 1990 and 1994. He's second in career victories with 31, trailing Michael Andretti by six. He also leads the series in career winnings, approaching the $20 million mark.

"I feel real good about the upcoming season. I feel that Goodyear's working very hard with us and coming up with some real good tires. Mercedes is got us some good horsepower, and the team is just phenomenal. It's awesome. It's all geared toward me with Marlboro and Penske. It's a dream come true for me, so we're just hard at it."

The test was not without its problems, though.

"We had a fuel pickup problem, and had a slow day Friday, and had a few problems on Saturday, but we're real pleased. We were at Sebring the past two days doing a lot of tire testing for Goodyear. We're making some headway. We feel good about it. Even though Friday was a little bit of a downer, we'll stay at it."

Unser was hit with a personal blow earlier this month when his 12-year-old daughter, Cody Michelle, contracted a rare spinal disorder. While she has been making progress, Unser refused to speculate on his daughter's progress.

"Not at this time, it's too early," he said. "I can't say enough kind words about the people who have sent their cards and thoughts and prayers to Cody and my family. It just goes beyond words, the kindness they've shown us overwhelms me."
       
The Grand Prix of Miami weekend also includes the season opener for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Saturday's Florida Dodge Dealers 400. For ticket orders, call (305) 230-7223. For additional information, visit the Speedway's official website, www.racemiami.com.