CHAMA, N.M. – Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials confirmed early Friday that Al Unser, a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 82 years old.
A part of the Unser dynasty that has won the Indianapolis 500 a combined nine times, Unser was an Indianapolis 500 fixture for three decades. The 27-time Indianapolis 500 starter was one of only four drivers to win the legendary event four times, joining A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and the most recent member of the elite club, Helio Castroneves.
His older brother, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, died in May of this year at the age of 87.
“We have lost a true racing legend and a champion on and off the track,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT IndyCar Series owner Roger Penske. “Al was the quiet leader of the Unser family, a tremendous competitor and one of the greatest drivers to ever race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From carrying on his family’s winning tradition at Pikes Peak to racing in NASCAR, sports cars, earning championships in INDYCAR and IROC and, of course, becoming just the second driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, Al had an amazing career that spanned nearly 30 years. He produced two championships and three wins for our race team, including his memorable victory in the 1987 Indy 500 when he famously qualified and won with a car that was on display in a hotel lobby just a few days before. We were honored to help Al earn a place in history with his fourth Indy victory that day, and he will always be a big part of our Team. Our thoughts are with the Unser family as they mourn the loss of a man that was beloved across the racing world and beyond.”
The younger Unser’s four victories in the Indianapolis 500 came in 1970, ’71, ’78 and ’87. His victory in 1987 made him the oldest Indianapolis 500 winner ever at the age of 47.
When Unser arrived at the speedway in 1965, few could have imagined the iconic status to which he would rise. His only concern was making the show. And he almost didn’t — save for the intervention of a superstar.
Unser struggled through his rookie test in an Arciero brothers-owned, Maserati-powered car. Try as he may, the car couldn’t be coaxed to qualifying speed. Desperate, Unser jumped into three other cars — all with equally questionable pedigrees. Still, success didn’t follow.
“I thought the world had came to an end,” Unser said years later. “I was sitting in the garage with my head hung between my legs. Then Foyt walked in.
“He asked me if I wanted to drive his backup car,” Unser continued. “He said, ‘Think about it.’ Well, I didn’t have to think about it. When A.J. headed out the garage door, I was right on him.
“Some of his people didn’t want me in the car because I was a rookie and I was never so scared in my life,” Unser said with a chuckle. “But A.J. sat me down and said, ‘Listen, you do what I tell you and you’ll make the race.’ That’s exactly what happened.”
Unser ended up qualifying in the 32nd spot. Race day brought a respectable ninth-place finish. Unser was always grateful for Foyt’s help.
“A.J. treated me so well with that deal,” Unser insisted. “It’s what got me to Indy and I’ll never forget it.”
Unser won his first two Indy 500s in 1970 and ’71 in the Johnny Lightning Special and became a three-time winner with team owner Jim Hall in 1978.
Unser didn’t have a ride in 1987, but after Danny Ongais hit the wall during practice and was injured, team owner Roger Penske called on Unser to wheel a “show car” that was retrieved from a display and prepared for the 500.
With only a few practice laps, Unser qualified 20th. Come race day, he still wasn’t completely comfortable with the car and as a result was tentative at the beginning of the race. Then Mario Andretti lapped him.
“That woke me up,” Unser said with a laugh. “I thought, ‘I’ll be a son of a gun.’ I told myself to pay attention and I went hard the rest of the day.”
Mario Andretti’s powerful Chevrolet dominated the race before a valve spring broke with a one-lap lead and only 20 tours of the 2.5-mile track remaining.
That put Roberto Guerrero in front by two laps over Unser, but when the driver from Colombia made his final pit stop, he stalled the engine. It took an extended amount of time for the engine to refire, handing the lead to Unser.
“When Mario fell out, it was me and Guerrero. He killed his engine on his last stop and it was mine,” Unser recalled. ““I ran as hard that day as I ever ran,” Unser said. “If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have won. But that’s how my daddy raised me. Never give up. And when I raced I never quit until I saw the checkered flag.”
He led an all-time high of 677 laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indianapolis 500.
In addition to his success at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he enjoyed a successful Indy car career that included three championships and 39 race victories. His first title came in 1970 under USAC sanction before adding two more IndyCar titles in 1983 and ’85.
Initially, the Unsers were known for their prowess of the famed Pikes Peak Int’l Hill Climb, with Unser’s uncle, Louis Jr., the first to race up the Colorado mountain in 1926. Louis went on to win the sprint to the top a record nine times, and the family’s win total stands at 25, including two wins by Al Unser (1964-65).
Unser illustrated his versatility by finishing fourth in the 1968 Daytona 500, one of his five NASCAR Cup Series races. He also finished fourth in a Cup road race in Riverside, Calif. He was USAC’s Stock Car Rookie of the Year in 1967 and captured the International Race of Champions title in 1978.
Unser called it a career prior to the 1994 Indianapolis 500 when he was unable to get the underfunded car he was driving up to speed. His son Al Unser Jr. would go on to win the 1994 Indianapolis 500 12 days later. He was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1986 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998.
“Al’s combination of his quiet and humble approach outside the car with his fierce competitive spirit and fearless talent behind the wheel, made him a fan favorite,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles. “He will be remembered as one of the best to ever race at Indianapolis and we will all miss his smile, sense of humor, and his warm, approachable personality.
“Our thought and prayers are with [wife] Susan Unser, the entire Unser family, and all Al’s friends and fans.”
Unser is survived by wife, Susan, and son, Al Jr. He was preceded in death by daughters Mary and Deborah.