Quiet return for Unser Jr

Any drama involving Unser's return to the Indianapolis 500 was overshadowed because he was the second driver to make a qualification attempt, and the first to complete his four-lap run.

Unser was expected to be a contender for the pole, but when his first lap was just 218.187 miles per hour, it sent some panic into team owner Rick Galles.

"It scared the (bleep) out of me," Galles said. "I don't know what happened, whether he got a little bit loose or what. We had to get over 220mph for an average and we were able to do that."

Unser picked up the pace on his next three laps, building to a faster speed on each circuit. He ran a 220.248mph on this second lap, increased that to 221.326 on this third and 221.440mph on his fourth-lap for a four-lap average of 220.293mph.

"I was just being very careful," Unser said of his slow lap. "I wanted to get it in the show and with the temperature and all that I had been seeing everybody spin out, I didn't want to take any risk of doing that. It's cold so the tyres are cold and that is why you have seen the incidents you have seen today."

Unser's time held up for 18th fastest and he will start on the outside of the sixth row in next Sunday's 84th Indianapolis 500.

"I can safely say we are back now," Unser said. "The first lap wasn't what I wanted, but we were on cold tyres and I didn't want to take a chance. I was a little too careful with that lap, but I thought it was the best thing to do.

"We definitely had butterflies we haven't had for five years. It's the greatest apectacle in Racing, and we're in. There's been a lot of hype, and we're officially back now."

Despite starting so far back in the 33-car field, Unser is confident that he can drive to the front in next Sunday's race.
"My dad has proven that you can start this race from anywhere and win," Unser said. "I think the bubble speed will be a high 218 so I think we are in good shape.

"It reminds me of my rookie year. We had butterflies, and it felt like the first time I qualified."