RIP: Bobby Unser

Three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser dies

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner. Finished last in his first 500 and first in his last one. His younger brother won four and his nephew won twice.

Outspoken, funny and always engaging. One of the best TV analysts because of his candor. Always loved him ragging on Sam Posey, who couldn't be more different in background but they shared a love of open-wheel racing.

RIP. His brother Jerry was killed at Indy. Hopefully they're racing each other again.

 

The Unsers were big in what really seems to have been the golden age of Indycar racing. We'd go on memorial Day picnics and take a transistor radio so we could listen to the race. The Unsers, along with AJ Foyt, figured prominently

 

RIP

The clock is ticking on a lot of the old greats across all forms of motorsports.

 

Indeed. RIP to one of the greats.

 

RIP.

 

The Unser Racing Museum in Abq is a definite must-see. We were lucky enough to chat with Al the weekend of the Balloon Fiesta two falls ago.

 

Just in Top Fuel there are ‘50/60s icons like Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Connie Kalitta, Chris Karamesines all of whom made their names driving slingshot rails; engine in front. I’ve sat in a couple...The Royal Canadian and Jerry Ruth cars and it’s almost a miracle that more fatalities weren’t recorded. Blower explosions and raging oil and nitro fires were common and in a very cramped cockpit with limited escape options. I remember when the full Nomex suits were first worn and the in cockpit fire extinguishers installed and that was v late 60s.

 

Very cool. I have never been to New Mexico, and that is on my list for when I go. I did get to see Al's last Indy 500 championship car at the Penske museum in Scottsdale that same year.

 

Big - 89
Snake - 80
Bounty Hunter - 83
Petty - 83
Allison - 83
Cale - 82
AJ - 86
Mario - 81
Unser - 81

 

AJ Foyt 86
5 time 24 Hr LeMans champ Derek Bell 79
Jackie Stewart 81
Sadly, Moss just passed at 91.