Four-Time Indy 500 Winner Al Unser Dies Aged 82

Grid Talk Reporter 10:49 10/12/2021

Four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser has passed away aged 82. 

Unser is one of four drivers to prevail in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on four separate occasions, alongside A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Hélio Castroneves. Unser achieved his victories at the Brickyard in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. The last of those victories after he was drafted in by Penske as a late replacement to the concussed Danny Ongais, with Unser going on to win in a back-up March-Cosworth machine that had sat in a hotel lobby as a show car before being brought back into service. Unser also won three titles across IndyCar and its predecessor USAC Championship Car, in 1970, 1983 and 1985. 

His passing comes just a few months after the loss of his elder brother Bobby Unser, himself a three-time Indy 500 winner. “In the 112 years of racing that has taken place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Al Unser’s career stands out among the others,” wrote track president Doug Boles, in a social media statement announcing Unser “died peacefully after a 17-year battle with cancer”. “Al achieved his successes competing against many of the best our sport has ever seen, which makes his accomplishments on the track even more impressive.

“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 favourite. He will be remembered as one of the best to ever race at Indianapolis and we will all miss his smile, sense of humour, and his warm, approachable personality.”