Al Unser Sr. was a racing driver and engineer who is best known for winning the Indianapolis 500 four times in his career. From 1949-1954, he also competed in Formula One with mixed success
Al Unser Sr. was born on January 29, 1936 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is an American race car driver and the father of Al Unser Jr., who is also a race car driver. His net worth is estimated to be $18 million dollars.
Al Unser Sr., a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and three-time champion of the IndyCar Series, passed away on Thursday. Unser was 82 years old when he died after a 17-year battle with cancer.
Unser died at his home in Chama, New Mexico, with his wife, Susan, at his side, according to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
His son, Al Unser Jr., won the race twice in addition to his four Indianapolis 500 victories, making them the first father and son duo to win the event. Bobby, Al Srbrother, .’s was the only sibling to win the 500 three times, making them the first brothers to accomplish so.
“My heart is heavy with grief. Last night, my father died away “Al Unser Jr. sent out a message. “He was a great guy, and he was even a better father. Dad, may you rest in peace!”
My heart is heavy with grief. Last night, my father died away. He was a great guy, and he was even a better father. Dad, may you rest in peace! 🙏♥️🙏
10 December 2021 — Al Unser Jr (@alunserjr)
In 1970, 1983, and 1985, Al Unser Sr. retired with 39 victories and season titles.
On ESPN’s SportsCentury series, Mario Andretti noted, “Al Unser Sr. was one of the sharpest drivers I’ve ever competed against.” “And I used to say that I wished I had some of his patience. I’m sure that would have worked for me a number of times.”
Unser started racing in 1957 and made his Indy 500 debut in 1965. In 1970, he dominated by starting from the pole and led all but 10 of the 200 laps, defeating runner-up Mark Donohue by 32 seconds. He won again the next year in Parnelli Jones’ famous “Johnny Lightning Special” and finished second behind Donohue in 1972.
In 1978, he won his third Indianapolis 500. The fourth, in 1987, was the most unexpected since he went into May without a ride for the race.
After four seasons, team owner Roger Penske replaced Unser with Danny Ongais, but Ongais sustained a concussion after a practice collision and was unable to participate. Penske returned to Unser, providing him a backup vehicle that started the month as a show car on display at the team’s headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania.
With his victory in 1987, Unser, who was 47 at the time, became the Indy 500’s oldest winner. He also joined A.J. Foyt as the race’s only four-time winner, a club that currently includes Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves, the winner in 2021.
On Friday, Castroneves told The Associated Press, “I will always remember Big Al welcome me to the raceway.” “He and Johnny Rutherford were the two guys that helped me get ready for my freshman year. He will be greatly missed.”
Unser was “a great racing icon and a champion on and off the track,” according to Penske.
“Al was the calm leader of the Unser family, a fantastic competitor, and one of the finest drivers to ever compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” stated Penske. “We were thrilled to play a role in Al’s fourth Indianapolis 500 triumph… and he will always be a valuable member of our squad. Our prayers are with the Unser family as they grieve the passing of a guy who was adored by everyone in the racing world.”
To racing fans all across the globe, he is a legend and a hero.
A cherished member of the #IMS family who made history.
4-time winner of the #Indy500 Al Unser died at the age of 82.
Racer, best of luck. pic.twitter.com/PnCm38MOZX
— December 10, 2021, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS)
Unser qualified for the Indy 500 27 times, the third most in history, including once on the pole and five times on the front row. The Unser family has a total of 73 career starts in the Indianapolis 500, second only to the Andretti family’s 76 starts. Al Unser (27 races), Bobby Unser (19 races), Al Unser Jr. (19 races), Johnny Unser (5), Robby Unser (2), and Jerry Unser (2) all raced (1).
Al Unser Sr. retired in 1994, but he still holds the record for most laps led in the Indianapolis 500 with 644, having led more than half the laps in three of his triumphs. Scott Dixon is the closest current driver, having led 570 laps.
“Al Unser’s career stands out among the others in the 112 years of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” IMS president J. Douglas Boles said in a statement. “His four Indianapolis 500 victories and 644 laps led in the race confirm him as one of the all-time greats. Al’s exploits are all the more astounding since he competed against some of the finest athletes our sport has ever seen. Al became a fan favorite due to his calm and humble demeanor outside of the vehicle, as well as his fiery competitive spirit and courageous skill behind the wheel. We shall all miss his grin, sense of humor, and warm, accessible demeanor, as he will be recognized as one of the finest to ever race at Indianapolis. Susan Unser, the Unser family, and all of Al’s friends and admirers are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Unser also competed in five NASCAR races, finishing fourth in the 1968 Daytona 500 and placing in the top ten three times. He also won the International Race of Champions three times, an all-star series that matched the best drivers from several disciplines against each other.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did Al Unser die from?
A: Al Unser died from complications of a blood clot in his arm.
How did Al Unser Sr die?
A: Al Unser Sr. died in 2002 when he crashed during a ChampCar race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and suffered head trauma, broken ribs and vertebrae after his car was struck by another drivers wheel.
What kind of cancer did al unser have?
A: Al Unser had terminal cancer. He died in 1996 due to heart failure and complications from prostate cancer treatment
