This is part one of a three-part story written by Bruce Martin about the life and recent passing of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser. Check back Tuesday and Wednesday for parts two and three of this story.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – When Al Unser passed away on Dec. 9 following a 17-year battle with a rare form of cancer, it was another sad moment this year for the winningest family in Indianapolis 500 history.
Unser was the second four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 with his victories in 1970, ’71, ’78 and ’87. Earlier this year, his older brother Bobby Unser, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner with victories in 1968, ’75 and ’81 passed away on May 2 after a lengthy illness.
Bobby Unser was 87 when he died. Al Unser was 82.
On June 13, Bobby Unser Jr. unexpectedly died from blood clots after undergoing surgery for a broken hip. He was 65.
Three deaths in eight months has struck the family hard.
In Albuquerque, N.M., an invitation-only gathering of around 200 met at the Unser Family Museum on Dec. 18 to celebrate the life of Al Unser.
Those included Unser’s widow, Susan Unser, as well as family members Johnny Unser, Loni Unser, Robby Unser, Cindy Unser, Lisa Unser, Cody Unser, Jeri Unser, and Al Unser III.
Former drivers in attendance included his son, Al Unser Jr., a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Arie Luyendyk, another two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Eddie Cheever Jr., the 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles attended and spoke at the event.
Susan Unser welcomed everyone and shared her memories of her late husband and his love of The Unser Racing Museum, the Indianapolis 500, their final years together in Chama, N.M., and the times they shared at and away from the race track in the last 20 years.
Recent memories they shared and embraced were attending the 2021 Indianapolis 500 on the 50th anniversary of this 1971 win, which included getting a retro Baby Borg Friday night before the race, and the July photoshoot with the three other four-times winners of the Indianapolis 500.
Close family friends Carlos Garcia, Tony Parella and Ed Garcia spoke. Garcia shared a note which Roger Penske sent Susan Unser, which she said could be shared.
In part, Penske’s letter said, “He made an incredible impact on our sport, on our race team, on me personally, and, I am sure, on all who gather to say goodbye to Big Al.
“To me, Al was the definition of a champion – both on and off the track. He was an amazing race car driver, a true gentleman, a quiet leader, and a good friend.
“I loved seeming him race in the Johnny Lightning Special for the Vel’s Parnelli Jones team. Watching him dominate USAC in that bright blue and yellow Ford, it was clear we were watching a champion in the making.
“Al could win in anything he drove. He always raced fair, and he always raced hard. When he won – and that happened quite a bit over a nearly 34-year career – he always showed class and humility. On those occasions when things did not go his way, Al was the first one to shake a competitor’s hand and say, ‘good job.’
“When we saw the chance to bring Al to Team Penske, we jumped at the opportunity. He competed in nearly 60 races for our team over the course of eight seasons, winning an IndyCar championship for us in both 1983 and 1985. From the moment he joined our team, it felt like he was part of our family, even when he wasn’t actually racing for Team Penske.
“Like so many of us, he loved being in Indianapolis during the month of May to celebrate The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. And I will never forget the smile on his face this past July when he was with us in Indianapolis to celebrate a special day honoring the most exclusive club in all of sports – the four-time Indianapolis 500 Winners Club. He truly enjoyed spending time and swapping stories with the three other Speedway legends: A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and the newest member, Helio Castroneves. I am so happy that all had that experience. It was special to me to get to see all of those champions together at the place where they achieved their greatest success.
“Al was fearless yet humble. He was strong and tough while being thoughtful and kind. He was a family man who was a fierce competitor and a true champion. To me, he will always be a great teammate and a good friend.
“I had the chance to talk with Al just a few days before he passed. As we said goodbye, he told me he would see me at the race track. To me, that was Al – a racer all the way to the final checkered flag.
“We will miss you, Al. Godspeed.”
Al Unser Jr. spoke and proudly told the crowd, “I was so proud to call him Dad.”
Al Unser was cremated and his ashes were on display in a beautiful wooden urn created by his close friend and artist Lance Gibbs.
It was a tasteful and distinguished way to remember a great champion and a true Indianapolis 500 legend.