Unser had automobile racing in his blood. His brother and uncles all raced, and two of them -- his Uncle Joe and his oldest brother, Jerry -- lost their lives in racing-related accidents. A driver as well, Unser's father was a respected mechanic with a garage on Route 66. From his earliest days racing modified passenger cars on dirt tracks near Albuquerque, Unser learned how to make things work on a shoestring and without buying the newest or best parts. This skill prepared Unser well for a career of continuous experimentation and refinement of virtually every aspect of automotive performance.