Tenacity keeps Unser family on track

America's legendary racing family is back on track this year, both literally and figuratively. Their success speaks to the power of persistence.

Al Unser Jr. raced to a successful finish at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, but the two-time Indy winner's biggest achievement came a few days before the race. That's when he publicly acknowledged that he is an alcoholic, pledging to help others seek treatment as he struggles with the disease. The new, national education initiative is called Live Outside the Bottle.

Challenges are nothing new to this family with 38 wins in the Pike's Peak Hill Climb, arguably one of the most difficult and dangerous races in the world.

As the Unsers prepared for race day, Al Jr.'s daughter, 20-year-old Cody Unser, diagnosed in 1999 with Transverse Myelitis (TM), a rare condition caused by a neurological infection in the spinal cord, was busy finishing up finals and her sophomore year in college while preparing for a major medical symposium at the University of New Mexico's School of Medicine sponsored by her foundation. Cody runs the Cody Unser First Step Foundation. She maintains an independent lifestyle despite her paralysis and is an outspoken advocate of stem cell research, testifying before Congress and delivering her inspirational message to groups around the country.

Meanwhile, her brother, Al Unser III, captured a respectable 8th place in the Freedom 100 Indy Pro Series event Fri., May 25, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, carrying on a family tradition that spans three generations.

Can't think of a better birthday present for four-time Indy winner Al Unser Sr. who turned 68 two days after the race, the same year he made his amazing comeback from liver cancer.

Read more about America's first family of racing here.

Visit the Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.