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Al Unser

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Al Unser
Unser in 2021
BornAlfred Unser
(1939-05-29)May 29, 1939
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 2021(2021-12-09) (aged 82)
Chama, New Mexico, U.S.
Championship titles
USAC/CART Championship Car (1970, 1983, 1985)
USAC Silver Crown (1973)
Major victories
Pikes Peak Hill Climb (1964, 1965)
Indianapolis 500 (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987)
Pocono 500 (1976, 1978)
California 500 (1977, 1978)
24 Hours of Daytona (1985)
Champ Car career
321 races run over 30 years
Best finish1st (1970, 1983, 1985)
First race1964 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (Milwaukee)
Last race1993 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
First win1965 Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Pikes Peak)
Last win1987 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles
39 98 28
NASCAR Cup Series career
5 races run over 3 years
Best finish106th (1986)
First race1968 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside)
Last race1986 Winston Western 500 (Riverside)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 3 0

Alfred Unser (May 29, 1939 – December 9, 2021) was an American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser Jr. He was the second of four men (A. J. Foyt, himself, Rick Mears and Hélio Castroneves) to have won the Indianapolis 500 four times (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987), the fourth of six to have won the race in consecutive years, and the winner of the National Championship in 1970, 1983, and 1985. The Unser family has won the Indy 500 a record nine times. He was the only person to have both a sibling (Bobby) and child (Al Jr.) as fellow Indy 500 winners. Al's nephews Johnny and Robby Unser have also competed in that race. In 1971, he became the only driver to date to win the race on his birthday (his 32nd).

After his son Al Unser Jr. joined the national championship circuit in 1983, Unser was generally known professionally by the retronym "Al Unser Sr." He was also nicknamed "Big Al", and Al Unser Jr. was likewise nicknamed "Little Al".

Personal life

[edit]

Unser was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the youngest of four sons of Mary Catherine (Craven) and Jerome Henry "Jerry" Unser.[1] His father and two uncles, Louis and Joe, were also drivers. Beginning in 1926 they competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, an annual road race held in Colorado. Joe Unser became the first member of the Unser family to lose his life to the sport, killed while test-driving an FWD Coleman Special on the Denver highway in 1929.

Al's oldest brother Jerry became the first Unser to drive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He qualifying 23rd and finishing 31st in the 1958 Indianapolis 500. However, tragedy struck the next year when he was killed by injuries sustained in a fiery crash during a practice session.

Middle brother Bobby drove in his first Indianapolis 500 in 1963. In 1968, he became the first family member to win. He went on to win the race a total of three times. Son Al Unser Jr. drove in his first Indy 500 in 1983, winning twice. His mother Mary "Mom" Unser became a popular a fixture at the track. Each year she treated the participants to a chili cookout in the garage area. She died on December 18, 1975.[2]

Al Unser married Wanda Jesperson in 1958 and they had three children- Alfred Jr., Mary, and Deborah. Deborah was killed in a dune buggy accident in 1982. Al and Wanda divorced in 1971. Al married Karen Sue Barnes on November 22, 1977. Karen and Al divorced in 1988.

Al Unser, with his family, owned and operated the Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Racing career and Indianapolis 500

[edit]

USAC and Indycar

[edit]

He began racing in 1957, at age 18, initially competing primarily in modified roadsters, sprint cars and midgets. In 1965 he raced in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time and finished ninth. His breakout year in IndyCar's was in 1970 when he joined Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing, where he would drive for the next seven years.

He won the Indianapolis 500 in 1970, two years after his brother, Bobby. During the race, he led for all but ten of the 200 laps and averaged 155.749 miles per hour (250.654 km/h). His quick pit stops were a factor in the victory, as well as the fact that VPJ had an insurmountable advantage over the field that year. That season, he won a record ten times on oval, road and dirt tracks to capture the United States Auto Club national championship. Unser competed in USAC's Stock Car division in 1967, and was the series Rookie of the Year.

In 1971, with Vel's Parnelli Jones, he won the Indianapolis 500 again, starting from the fifth position with an average speed of 157.735 miles per hour (253.850 km/h), and holding off Peter Revson's McLaren for the victory. Unser's bid to become the first three-time consecutive Indy 500 champion was thwarted when he finished second to Mark Donohue in the 1972 Indianapolis 500. Unser would continue driving for the team up until 1977. During a few of those years, VPJ lost their competitive edge after changing their chassis, as well as their failed F1 bid. By 1977, the team regained competitive form, although Unser would announce his departure for Jim Hall Racing at year's end. Unser would later say, in a 2020 interview, that his departure from VPJ stemmed from disagreements with Jones and his partners over the direction of the team, although Unser maintained a friendship with Jones.

Despite starting the 1978 Indianapolis 500 from the fifth position in a First National City Travelers Checks Chaparral Lola, Unser's car was considered before the race to be a second-tier entry at best, if not an outright long shot to win. Moving to the front of the field for the first time on lap 75, he and opponent Danny Ongais engaged in an on-again off-again duel for 75 more laps, before an engine failure on Ongais' car on lap 150 allowed Unser to assume a commanding 35 second lead. Although suffering right front-wing misalignment due to impacting a tire on his final pit stop, a situation that led to the lead shrinking steadily over the race's final 20 laps, it nevertheless proved wide enough for victory by nine seconds to spare at the checkered flag. Unser's race average speed of 161.363 mph (259.689 km/h) ranked as the then-second fastest ever run (one mile per hour less than the then-1972 record), and would not itself be topped for second for four more years.

In 1979, Unser departed Jim Hall's team for the Longhorn Racing Team owned by Bobby Hillin Sr.. Although Unser went winless for three seasons, he would later say that driving for the Hillin family was his most joyful experience as a driver before his successful Penske years. The team folded operations after three years, putting Unser out of a ride.

In the 1983 season, Unser joined Team Penske and drove for four years in a Penske-owned car. Unser controlled the late stages of the 1983 Indianapolis 500, leading 61 laps. With less than 20 laps to go, Unser got challenges from Tom Sneva who led the most laps. With help from his son - who was several laps down - Unser began pulling away from Sneva. However Sneva got by Al Jr., and set sail for Unser Sr.. Sneva caught up to Unser within one lap of passing Al Jr., and passed him to retake the lead with nine laps to go. Sneva then easily pulled away to win the race by 11 seconds, avenging his firing from the team in 1978. After the race, Unser Jr. was penalized two laps for his actions as well as having passed two cars under caution on lap 170.

Unser (center, holding helmet) visiting United States president Ronald Reagan in January 1986 along with his wife Karen, his brother Bobby Unser and his wife, and his son Al Unser Jr. and his wife.

Unser won the IndyCar championships in 1983 and 1985 by winning one race and then having several top-five finishes. In 1986, Penske decided to focus the team's attention on teammate Rick Mears when he healed from serious injuries. As a result, Unser cut down his schedule to only a few IndyCar races a year, which he would do going forward.

NASCAR and IROC

[edit]

Outside of his open-wheel career, Unser was a semi-regular competitor in IROC, winning three races and the 1977-1978 championship. His final IROC start was an 11th-place finish at the 1993 Michigan race after winning the pole.[3]

Unser also started five races in NASCAR, three in the late 1960s and two in 1986. His best finishes were a pair of 4th-place results, one at the 1968 Daytona 500 and the other at the 1969 Motor Trend 500 at Riverside International Raceway. He fared less well in two 1986 starts, finishing 29th at Watkins Glen and 20th at Riverside.[4]

Fourth Indianapolis 500 victory

[edit]
Al Unser's 1987 Indy 500 winning car.

In 1987, Penske's slate of drivers included Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, and Danny Ongais. Al Unser Sr. was dropped from the team, and entered the month of May without a ride. During the first week of practice, Al Sr. spent much of the week shopping for a ride, and a few offers were made by owners. Al Sr., however, refused the offers, as he insisted on landing a ride in a competitive, well-funded car only. Unser planned on staying through the week, and if he did not have a ride by the end of the first week of time trials, he was planning to return home. Coincidentally, his son Al Unser Jr. (driving for Shierson Racing) was having difficulty with his car's handling. At the end of the first weekend of time trials, Al Jr. surprisingly had not yet qualified. Al Sr. agreed to stay through the week in order to help his son get his car up to speed.

Danny Ongais crashed into the wall during the first week of practice, suffering a serious concussion, and was declared unfit to drive. Meanwhile, the Penske team's new Penske PC-16 chassis had been uncompetitive during practice. By the end of the first week of practice, Penske parked the PC-16s and elected to qualify back-up cars for the race. Mears and Sullivan were provided 1986 March-Ilmor Chevrolet machines, while a third car, a 1986 March-Cosworth, was planned for third driver.

Midway through the second week of practice, Roger Penske consummated a deal with Al Sr. to drive the third car. Penske promised Unser a well-funded effort, and a brand new Cosworth engine, the same chassis/engine combination that had won the previous four Indy 500s. The year-old March was removed from a Penske Racing display at a Sheraton hotel in the team's hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania, and hurriedly prepared for a return to active competition. Unser easily put the car in the field on the third day of time trials.

At the start Unser was in the 20th position. On a day when heavy attrition felled most of the field's front-runners, including the overwhelmingly dominant Newman-Haas entry of Mario Andretti, Unser worked his way steadily forward and took the lead on the 183rd lap, after Roberto Guerrero's car stalled on his final pit stop. Averaging 162.175 mph (260.995 km/h), Unser bested a charging Guerrero by 4.5 seconds to win his fourth Indy 500, only five days before his 48th birthday. In doing so he tied Foyt as the winningest Indy 500 driver and broke brother Bobby's record as the oldest Indy winner.

Unser rode the wave of his fourth Indy victory to secure a ride at Penske for the Michigan 500, Pocono 500, and Marlboro Challenge for 1987. Near the end of the year, Unser had two other starts. He drove as a substitute for Roberto Guerrero at Nazareth, and had a competitive run until crashing a few laps short of the finish. He was then hired to drive the brand new Porsche Indy car at Laguna Seca. The team was still in its infancy, and the car dropped out. Unser left the team after only one race.

In 1988 and 1989, Unser returned to Penske to secure a ride at the three 500-miles races (Indianapolis, Michigan, Pocono). Unser appeared headed for a third Pocono 500 victory during the 1988 Pocono 500 until he suffered ignition failure while leading with 28 laps remaining. Unser had led a race-high 79 laps.[5]

Retirement

[edit]
Al Unser in 2021

After reorganization at Team Penske in 1990, Unser was finally crowded out of his part-time ride. With competitive rides filling up, and his career winding down, he joined the sub-par Patrick Racing Alfa Romeo team for 1990. After finishing 13th at Indy, Unser returned to the team for the Michigan 500. A broken right-front push-rod after only six practice laps led to a severe crash. The 51 year-old Unser suffered a broken right femur, right collarbone, and three upper right ribs.[6] He quit the team after the crash.

He spent most of the month of May 1991 shopping around for a competitive ride. The restrictions on the number of leases to the Chevy Ilmor engine kept him out of a ride during the first week of practice. A last-minute deal with the UNO/Granatelli team (where he would be Arie Luyendyk's teammate) fell through when there was not enough time to prepare the car. Instead of jumping into another car "just to make the show," Unser sat out the 1991 race and watched from the sidelines for the first time since 1969.[7]

In 1992, Unser entered the month of May for the second year in a row without a ride. During the first week of practice, Nelson Piquet was involved in a serious crash, and was unable to drive. Unser was hired by Team Menard to fill the position vacated by Piquet. Unser drove to a 3rd-place finish, while his son Al Unser Jr. won the race. It was Team Menard's best Indy 500 finish, the best finish for the Buick Indy engine, and the first time the Buick engine had gone the entire 500 miles (800 km). Later in the year, Unser was selected to drive as a substitute for the injured Rick Mears at Nazareth. It was Unser's first start for Penske since 1989, and his final start in a CART series event. He finished 12th, earning 1 championship point.

In 1993, driving for King Racing, he led 15 laps at the Indianapolis 500 to extend his career laps-led record. He finished 12th, one lap down.

A month shy of his 55th birthday, Unser entered the 1994 race with Arizona Motorsports, hoping to qualify for what would be his 28th Indy 500. The team was very underfunded, and Unser had considerable trouble getting the car up to speed. On the first weekend of qualifying, he waved off after a poor qualifying lap. After some minimal practice the following day, he quit the team. He announced his retirement on May 17, 1994. His son Al Unser Jr. won the Indianapolis 500 on his father's 55th birthday.

Health and death

[edit]

Unser suffered from hereditary haemochromatosis, which contributed to him being diagnosed with liver cancer in 2004 and having a tumor and half of his liver removed in 2005.[8] Unser continued to suffer from cancer for the next 17 years before dying from the disease aged 82 on December 9, 2021, in his home in Chama, New Mexico.[9]

Career highlights

[edit]

Unser has led the second most laps of any driver in the history of the Indianapolis 500, at 644.[10] Unser tied Ralph DePalma's long standing record of 612 laps led on the last lap of his 4th victory.[11]

Unser holds the record of being the oldest driver to ever win the 500 at 47 years old (1987), breaking the previous record set by his brother Bobby.[12]

Unser won two 500-mile races at Pocono (in 1976[13] and 1978[14]) and two more at Ontario (in 1977 and 1978) bringing his total of 500-mile race wins (including four Indianapolis 500s) to eight.

Unser was the 1978 IROC champion.[15] He also competed in the 1968 Daytona 500 and four other NASCAR Winston Cup & Grand National races, all held on road courses with a best finish of fourth (twice).

Awards

[edit]

Motorsports career results

[edit]

American open-wheel racing

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

USAC Championship Car

[edit]
USAC Championship Car results
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Pos. Pts
1964 J. C. Agajanian Troutman Barnes 64 Offy 252 ci PHX TRE INDY MIL LAN TRE ISF MIL
23
DSF INF TRE SAC PHX NC 0
1965 Arciero Racing Weisman 64 Maserati 255 ci 4.2 V8 PHX
DNP
TRE 19th 495
Ansted-Thompson Racing Lola T80 Ford 255 ci V8 INDY
9
J Frank Harrison Eisert 65 Chevrolet 305 ci V8 MIL
13
LAN
12
TRE
22
IRP
12
ATL
26
LAN
16
MIL
11
ISF MIL
7
DSF INF
DNQ
TRE
20
PHX
17
Eisert Ford 289 ci PPR
1
Roger Carsten Kuzma 53 D Offy 252 ci SAC
11
1966 J Frank Harrison Eisert 65 Chevrolet 305 ci V8 PHX
20
TRE 5th 1260
STP Corporation Lotus 38 Ford 255 ci V8 INDY
12
Mecom Racing Enterprises Lola T90 MIL
6
LAN
9
ATL
16
PPR IRP
2
LAN
3
ISF MIL
20
DSF INF TRE
2
PHX
2
Joe Hunt Lesovsky 58 D Offy 252 ci SAC
18
1967 Mecom Racing Enterprises Lola T90 Ford 255 ci V8 PHX
23
TRE
12
5th 2505
Lola T92 INDY
2
MIL
19
LAN
2
PPR MOS
6
MOS
5
IRP
2
LAN
22
MTR
5
MTR
5
MIL
2
TRE
11
HAN
25
PHX
2
RSD
12
Dunlop 64 D Offy 252 ci ISF
11
DSF
9
INF
3
Lesovsky D SAC
14
1968 Retzloff Racing Team Lola T92 Ford 255 ci V8 HAN
2
MIL
3
MOS
4
MOS
5
LAN
12
CDR
4
LAN
1
LAN
1
3rd 2895
Lola T150 LVS
14
PHX
16
TRE
17
IRP
1
IRP
1
MTR
9
MTR
15
MIL
3
RSD
26
Ford 159ci V8t INDY
26
TRE
22
MCH
18
HAN
15
PHX
15
Al Unser Chevrolet Special Chevrolet PPR
22
Retzloff Racing Team Dunlop 64 D Offy 252 ci NAZ
1
ISF
12
DSF
7
INF
15
SAC
3
1969 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Lola T150 Ford 159ci V8t PHX
22
HAN
13
TRE
25
MIL
1
DOV
12
TRE
21
PHX
1
2nd 2630
Lotus 56 INDY
Wth
MIL LAN PPR
Lola T150 Ford 255 ci V8 CDR
9
NAZ IRP
2
IRP
19
BRN
3
BRN
9
SIR
2
SIR
1
RSD
2
Kingfish 69 D ISF
8
DSF
1
INF
4
SAC
1
1970 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Colt-Lola T150 Ford 159ci V8t PHX
1
TRE
3
MIL
1
TRE
1
PHX
2
1st 5130
Colt 70 Ford 255 ci V8 SON
3
Ford 159ci V8t INDY
1
MIL
3
LAN
2
MCH
18
ONT
9
Colt-Lola T150 Ford 255 ci V8 CDR
5
IRP
1
Kingfish 69 D ISF
1
DSF
1
INF
1
SED
1
SAC
1
1971 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Colt 70 Ford 159ci V8t RAF
1
RAF
1
PHX
1
TRE
21
4th 2200
Colt 71 INDY
1
MIL
1
POC
31
MCH
24
MIL
17
Offy 159 ci t ONT
15
TRE
17
PHX
21
1972 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Colt 71/72 Offy 159 ci t PHX
6
4th 1800
Parnelli VPJ-1 TRE
20
INDY
2
MIL
20
MCH
15
POC
3
MIL
15
ONT
31
TRE
23
PHX
4
1973 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Parnelli VPJ-2 Offy 159 ci t TWS
1
TRE
7
TRE
3
INDY
20
MIL
9
POC
33
MCH
22
MIL
26
ONT ONT
4
ONT
9
MCH
21
MCH TRE
25
TWS
16
PHX
19
13th 1080
1974 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Eagle 73 Offy 159 ci t ONT ONT
5
ONT
2
4th 2430
Eagle 74 PHX
18
TRE
10
INDY
18
MIL
5
POC
22
MCH
2
MIL
9
MCH
1
TRE
6
TRE
5
PHX
5
1975 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Eagle 74 Offy 159 ci t ONT
7
ONT ONT
26
PHX TRE INDY
16
MIL POC
32
MCH MIL MCH 17th 450
Sugaripe Prune Racing Team TRE
4
Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Parnelli VPJ-6B Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
5
1976 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Parnelli VPJ-6B Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
4
TRE INDY
7
MIL
4
POC
1
MCH
10
TWS
17
TRE
2
MIL
1
ONT
32
MCH
18
TWS
3
PHX
1
4th 3020
1977 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Parnelli VPJ-6B Cosworth DFX V8t ONT
2
PHX
9
TWS
2
TRE INDY
3
MIL
3
POC
25
MOS
17
MCH
16
TWS
21
MIL
15
ONT
1
MCH
4
PHX
2
2nd 3030
1978 Chaparral Racing Lola T500 Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
10
ONT
3
TWS
Wth
TRE INDY
1
MOS
12
MIL
8
POC
1
MCH
17
ATL
14
TWS
17
MIL
5
ONT
1
MCH
17
TRE
4
SIL
10
BRH
15
PHX
5
2nd 4031
1979 Chaparral Racing Chaparral 2K Cosworth DFX V8t ONT TWS INDY
22
MIL POC TWS MIL NC 0
1980 Longhorn Racing Longhorn LR01 Cosworth DFX V8t ONT
16
INDY
27
MIL
20
POC
24
MDO
13
34th 49
1981-82 Longhorn Racing Longhorn LR02 Cosworth DFX V8t INDY
17
POC ISF DSF INF NC 0
Longhorn LR03 INDY
5
1982-83 Penske Racing Penske PC-11 Cosworth DFX V8t ISF DSF NAZ INDY
2
2nd 800
1983-84 Penske Racing March 84C Cosworth DFX V8t DSF INDY
3
3rd 700

PPG Indy Car World Series

[edit]
CART results
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points Ref
1979 Chaparral Racing Lola T500 Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
4
ATL
6
ATL
3
TRE
6
5th 2085 [18]
Chaparral 2K INDY
22
TRE
2
TRE
12
MCH
13
MCH
3
WGL
5
ONT
5
MCH
10
ATL
5
PHX
1
1980 Longhorn Racing Longhorn LR01 Cosworth DFX V8t ONT
16
INDY
27
MIL
20
POC
24
MDO
13
MCH
7
WGL
19
MIL
13
ONT
4
MCH
5
MEX
3
PHX
15
8th 1153 [19]
1981 Longhorn Racing Longhorn LR02 Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
17
MIL
5
ATL
6
ATL
7
MCH
11
RIV
14
MIL
5
WGL
14
MEX
2
PHX
22
10th 90 [20]
Eagle 81 MCH
3
1982 Longhorn Racing Longhorn LR03 Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
21
ATL
8
MIL
17
CLE
3
MCH
4
MIL
DNS
7th 125 [21]
Longhorn LR03B POC
23
RIV
17
ROA
2
MCH
18
PHX
1983 Penske Racing Penske PC-11 Cosworth DFX V8t ATL
2
INDY
2
MIL
2
CLE
1
MCH
2
ROA
3
POC
11
RIV
11
1st 151 [22]
Penske PC-10B MDO
4
MCH
5
CPL
4
LAG
11
PHX
4
1984 Penske Racing Penske PC-12 Cosworth DFX V8t LBH
22
PHX
21
9th 76 [23]
March 84C INDY
3
MIL
5
POR
27
MEA
8
CLE
10
MCH
30
ROA
3
POC
8
MDO
8
SAN
13
MCH
4
PHX
17
LAG
6
CPL
14
1985 Penske Racing March 85C Cosworth DFX V8t LBH
5
INDY
4
MIL POR
4
MEA
3
CLE
3
MCH
2
ROA
7
POC
3
MDO
27
SAN
13
MCH
12
LAG
2
PHX
1
MIA
4
1st 151 [24]
1986 Penske Racing Penske PC-15 Chevrolet 265A V8t PHX
18
LBH INDY
22
MIL POR MEA CLE TOR NC 0 [25]
March 86C MCH
14
POC
20
MDO SAN MCH ROA LAG PHX MIA
15
1987 Penske Racing March 86C Cosworth DFX V8t LBH PHX INDY
1
MIL POR MEA CLE TOR MCH
2
POC
15
ROA MDO 13th 39 [26]
Vince Granatelli Racing March 87C NAZ
10
Porsche Motorsports Porsche 2708 Porsche V8t LAG
24
Penske Racing Penske PC-16 Chevrolet 265A V8t MIA
DNQ
1988 Penske Racing Penske PC-17 Chevrolet 265A V8t PHX LBH INDY
3
MIL POR CLE MCH
9
POC
13
MDO ROA NAZ LAG MIA 19th 23 [27]
Vince Granatelli Racing Lola T88/00 Cosworth DFX V8t TOR
9
March 87C MEA
19
1989 Penske Racing Penske PC-18 Chevrolet 265A V8t PHX LBH INDY
24
MIL DET POR CLE
10
MEA TOR MCH
8
POC
7
MDO ROA NAZ LAG 16th 14 [28]
1990 Patrick Racing March 90CA Alfa Romeo Indy V8t PHX LBH INDY
13
MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR NC 0 [29]
Lola T90/00 MCH
Wth
DEN VAN MDO ROA NAZ LAG
1991 A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola T91/00 Chevrolet 265A V8t SRF LBH PHX
17
INDY MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MCH DEN VAN MDO ROA NAZ LAG NC 0 [30]
1992 Team Menard Lola T92/00 Buick 3300 V6t SRF PHX LBH INDY
3
DET POR MIL NHA TOR MCH CLE ROA VAN MDO 16th 15 [31]
Penske Racing Penske PC-21 Chevrolet 265B V8t NAZ
12
LAG
1993 King Racing Lola T93/00 Chevrolet 265C V8t SRF PHX LBH INDY
12
MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH NHA ROA VAN MDO NAZ LAG 32nd 1 [32]
1994 Arizona Motorsports Lola T94/00 Ford XB V8t SRF PHX LBH INDY
Wth
MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH MDO NHA VAN ROA NAZ LAG NA - [33]

Indianapolis 500

[edit]
Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
1965 Lola Ford 32 9 Ansted-Thompson Racing
1966 Lotus Ford 23 12 STP Corporation
1967 Lola Ford 9 2 Mecom Racing Enterprises
1968 Lola Ford 6 26 Retzloff Racing Team
1969 Lotus Ford Wth Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1970 Colt Ford 1 1 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1971 Colt Ford 5 1 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1972 Parnelli Offenhauser 19 2 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1973 Parnelli Offenhauser 8 20 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1974 Eagle Offenhauser 26 18 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1975 Eagle Offenhauser 11 16 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1976 Parnelli Cosworth 4 7 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1977 Parnelli Cosworth 3 3 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1978 Lola Cosworth 5 1 Chaparral Racing
1979 Chaparral Cosworth 3 22 Chaparral Racing
1980 Longhorn Cosworth 9 27 Longhorn Racing
1981 Longhorn Cosworth 9 17 Longhorn Racing
1982 Longhorn Cosworth 16 5 Longhorn Racing
1983 Penske Cosworth 7 2 Penske Racing
1984 March Cosworth 10 3 Penske Racing
1985 March Cosworth 7 4 Penske Racing
1986 Penske Chevrolet 5 22 Penske Racing
1987 March Cosworth 20 1 Penske Racing
1988 Penske Chevrolet 3 3 Penske Racing
1989 Penske Chevrolet 2 24 Penske Racing
1990 March Alfa Romeo 30 13 Patrick Racing
1992 Lola Buick 22 3 Team Menard
1993 Lola Chevrolet 23 12 King Racing
1994 Lola Ford-Cosworth DNQ / Wth Arizona Motorsports

Non-Championship Formula One Results

[edit]

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1971 Kastner Brophy Racing Lola T192 F5000 Chevrolet 5.0 V8 ARG ROC QUE
24
SPR INT RIN OUL VIC

NASCAR

[edit]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

[edit]
NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 NGNC Pts Ref
1968 Rudy Hoerr 3 Dodge MGR MGY RSD
6
NA 0 [34]
Owens Racing 6 Dodge DAY
4
BRI RCH ATL HCY GPS CLB NWS MAR AUG AWS DAR BLV LGY CLT ASH MGR SMR BIR CAR GPS DAY ISP OXF FDA TRN BRI SMR NSV ATL CLB BGS AWS SBO LGY DAR HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR NWS AUG CLT CAR JFC
1969 Rudy Hoerr 41 Dodge MGR MGY RSD
4
DAY DAY DAY CAR AUG BRI ATL CLB HCY GPS RCH NWS MAR AWS DAR BLV LGY CLT MGR SMR MCH KPT GPS NCF DAY DOV TPN TRN BLV BRI NSV SMR ATL MCH SBO BGS AWS DAR HCY RCH TAL CLB MAR NWS CLT SVH AUG CAR JFC MGR TWS NA 0 [35]

Winston Cup Series

[edit]
NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 NWCC Pts Ref
1986 Baker-Schiff Racing 88 Olds DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN
29
MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL 106th 76 [36]
Dingman Brothers Racing 50 Pontiac RSD
20
Daytona 500
[edit]
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1968 Owens Racing Dodge 8 4

International Race of Champions

[edit]

(key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.)

International Race of Champions results
Season Make Q1 Q2 Q3 1 2 3 4 Pos. Pts Ref
1975–76 Chevy MCH
8
RSD
9
RSD
2
DAY
5
6th - [37]
1976–77 MCH
5
RSD
7
RSD
5
DAY
9
8th - [38]
1977–78 MCH
1
RSD
1*
RSD
3
DAY
7
1st - [39]
1978–79 MCH MCH
2
RSD RSD
11
ATL
10
11th - [40]
1986 Chevy DAY
1
MOH
5
TAL
6
GLN
12*
4th 51 [41]
1987 DAY
10
MOH
10
MCH
6
GLN
7
11th 27 [42]
1988 DAY
6
RSD
6
MCH
5
GLN
5
8th 38 [43]
1991 Dodge DAY
3
TAL
6
MCH
7
GLN
9
6th 37 [44]
1993 Dodge DAY
12
DAR
9
TAL
11
MCH
11
12th 21 [45]

24 hours of Daytona

[edit]
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1985 Henn's Swap Shop Racing Porsche 962 3 1
1987 A J Foyt Enterprises Porsche 962 8 4
1991 Jochen Dauer Racing Porsche 962 9 35

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Laws of the State of New Mexico". Albright & Anderson, printers. June 15, 1976. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Coronary Fatal To 'Mom' Unser". The Indianapolis Star. December 19, 1975. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  3. ^ "Driver Season Stats - Racing-Reference".
  4. ^ "Driver Season Stats - Racing-Reference".
  5. ^ "1988 Quaker State 500 Results - Racing-Reference".
  6. ^ "Unser Sr: Broken Leg, Collarbone". Detroit Free Press. (Michigan). Associated Press. August 3, 1990. p. 33.
  7. ^ 1991 Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report - Day 13, Thursday May 16, 1001 (Page D-20)
  8. ^ "Al Unser expected to make full recovery". espn.com. ESPN. November 9, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  9. ^ "Al Unser Sr., four-time winner of Indianapolis 500, dies at 82". espn.com. ESPN, Inc. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  10. ^ "106th Indianapolis 500 Post-Race Notes". indianapolismotorspeedway.com. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  11. ^ Fryer, Jenna. "Al Unser, four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, dies at 82". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Al Unser Sr., four-time winner of Indianapolis 500, dies at 82". espn.com. ESPN, Inc. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  13. ^ Katz, Michael (28 June 1976). "Al Unser Is First In 500 at Pocono". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  14. ^ Katz, Michael (26 June 1978). "Al Unser takes 500 at Pocono P." The New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  15. ^ "1978 IROC Results". racing-reference.info. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  16. ^ Al Unser at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
  17. ^ "Hall of Fame". Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  18. ^ "Al Unser – 1979 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  19. ^ "Al Unser – 1980 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  20. ^ "Al Unser – 1981 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  21. ^ "Al Unser – 1982 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "Al Unser – 1983 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "Al Unser – 1984 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  24. ^ "Al Unser – 1985 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  25. ^ "Al Unser – 1986 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  26. ^ "Al Unser – 1987 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "Al Unser – 1988 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "Al Unser – 1989 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  29. ^ "Al Unser – 1990 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  30. ^ "Al Unser – 1991 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  31. ^ "Al Unser – 1992 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  32. ^ "Al Unser – 1993 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  33. ^ "Al Unser – 1994 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  34. ^ "Al Unser – 1968 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  35. ^ "Al Unser – 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  36. ^ "Al Unser – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  37. ^ "Al Unser – 1976 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  38. ^ "Al Unser – 1977 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  39. ^ "Al Unser – 1978 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  40. ^ "Al Unser – 1979 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  41. ^ "Al Unser – 1986 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  42. ^ "Al Unser – 1987 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  43. ^ "Al Unser – 1988 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  44. ^ "Al Unser – 1991 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  45. ^ "Al Unser – 1993 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by USAC National Championship Trail Champion
1970
Succeeded by
Preceded by CART IndyCar Series Champion
1983
Succeeded by
Preceded by CART IndyCar Series Champion
1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by International Race of Champions
champion

IROC V (1978)
Succeeded by
Achievements
Preceded by Indianapolis 500
Winner

1970-1971
Succeeded by
Preceded by Indianapolis 500
winner

1978
Succeeded by
Preceded by Indianapolis 500
winner

1987
Succeeded by