UNSER USED DRUGS, MAN TELLS PAPER

Ex-Employee Says Driver Used Cocaine, Marijuana; Uncle Says Nephew Is Now
Clean.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Al Unser Jr.'s bid to revive his racing career
has been dealt a blow by his arrest on domestic violence charges after his
girlfriend said he hit her while drunk.

But even as girlfriend Jena L. Soto downplayed the accusations that led to
Unser's arrest Tuesday on misdemeanor charges, former Unser employee Steven
Schweissgut accused the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner of drug use, the
Albuquerque Journal reported Friday.

Schweissgut told the Journal he had used drugs and had provided them to
Unser on occasions in 1998 and 1999. Schweissgut said he was going public
to get help for Unser.

Schweissgut, who now lives in Toronto, said Unser used marijuana and cocaine.

"At times, I did supply it to him. He used more pot than coke. He smoked
pot every day," Schweissgut said.

Unser said his attorneys would not let him talk. He is to drive today in an
International Race of Champions event in Joliet, Ill.

Unser's uncle, Bobby Unser, said he does not believe his nephew is taking
drugs now.

"From the best I can figure out, he hasn't been doing drugs for quite a
while," he said. "When I looked into it, I think it has been two years."

Prosecutors will decide, likely next week, if the case should move forward.
A hearing is set July 19.