INDIANAPOLIS, July 19 (UPI) -- Al Unser, two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, plans to enter a treatment center for alcohol abuse.
Unser made that announcenment Thursday, on the same day he learned he will not face criminal charges for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.
"I have a problem with alcohol abuse," the 40-year-old auto racing star said. "Nearly every poor choice I've made in my life occurred under the influence of alcohol. I don't understand why I have the problem, but I know I have to straighten it out. And I now am ready to do so."
The name and location of the facility was not disclosed. Unser said he hopes to return to the Indy Racing League sometime next month. Until then, Tony Renna will drive the Kelley Racing Dallara/Chevrolet.
"Al has been a key member of the Corteco family since joining us earlier this year," said Corteco CEO Gregory Gyllstrom. "When anyone in our company faces a difficult problem, we want to do everything we can to help him."
Unser was arrested July 9 after his 38-year-old girlfriend, Jena Soto, accused him of hitting her and leaving her stranded alongside Interstate 465. Earlier Thursday, the Marion County
Prosecutor's Office said there was not enough evidence to obtain a conviction of Unser.
IRL president and CEO Tony George said he was disappointed to earn of last week's incident but called Unser's plan to seek treatment "the right thing for him to do."
A member of one of auto racing's royal families, Unser won the 1992 and 1994 Indianapolis 500 and is a two-time CART champion.
