Unser joins Playa Del Racing for Freedom 100

Al Unser III hopes to etch the Unser name further into Indianapolis lore. The 25-year-old grandson of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser and son of two-time "500" champ Al Unser Jr., will compete in the Indy Pro Series Freedom 100 at the famed 2.5-mile oval on May 25.

Unser III, who will drive the No. 12 Playa Del Racing entry, will prepare for the 40-lap race at an Open Test at the Speedway on April 27.

"This is going to be a great opportunity for myself and the Playa Del Racing organization," Unser said. "I'm really familiar with these cars, and my family has had a great relationship with this team. I think this could be a great partnership in the future."

Unser made 12 Indy Pro Series starts in 2004-05, recording eight top-five finishes and one pole position. Among those was a fourth-place finish at Indianapolis in 2005, which was his last start in the series.

"We are very excited to have the chance to work with the son of one of our oldest friends here at PDR," team co-owner Susan Schafer said. "We all know that this kid can drive, and there's no better place to put him on the track than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway."

The Freedom 100 is the fourth of 16 races on the Indy Pro Series schedule. The series also will compete on the road course at Indianapolis on June 16-17.