Bobby Unser

Robert William Unser (February 20, 1934 – May 2, 2021) was an American automobile racer. At his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994, he had the fourth most IndyCar wins at 35 (behind his brother Al, A. J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti). the third oldest of four brothers. When he turned one, his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where his father started a garage on U.S. Route 66.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Unser debuted in 1955 at Pike's Peak, dubbed "Unser's Peak" because of his family's history of success at the hill climb. He won six straight titles from 1958 to 1963. Unser's record time was broken by Michele Mouton, so Audi approached Unser asking if he would want to attempt to take the record back. including two stock car class victories (1969 and 1974) and a single sports car class win (1963).

IndyCar career Unser came from a family of racecar drivers. He won numerous racing championships throughout his career, including three Indianapolis 500 titles. When asked in 2008 about his potential to move from midget and sprint cars, Unser said, "I never considered Indianapolis because I didn't think I was good enough. But Rufus (Parnelli Jones) told me I was going and he got me a ride and I always be indebted to him."

Unser made his IndyCar debut in 1962 Unser's second Indianapolis 500 in 1964 ended on the second lap in the crash that killed Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald. Unser moved to an IndyCar owned by Bob Willke from 1966 until 1970. Teams were allowed to bolt on a wing for the first time and speeds rose significantly (the previous record speed was ). He remained on Gurney's team until 1979. Roger Penske wanted a proven winner to join his young driver Rick Mears. Unser retired during off-season testing for Pat Patrick at Phoenix. For years, Unser and Andretti did not speak to each other willingly until early 2017 when Unser announced on his YouTube channel that Andretti reached out to wish him the best after Unser got extremely sick. In 1993, Unser set a new Bonneville Salt Flats record at Bonneville Speedway of 223.709 in a D/Gas Modified Roadster that stood for 18 years.

In 2003, Unser published a book, Winners are Driven: A Champion's Guide to Success in Business and Life.

Broadcaster

Unser was a television broadcaster for 20 years after his retirement from racing. He was a television commentator for IndyCar races after his retirement working for NBC, ABC, and ESPN. National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1997) Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum Hall of Fame (1997) Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (2011) International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (2018) He was presented with Indy 500 Front Row Award in 1999, for being a nine-time front row qualifier (1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981). He was selected fourth in The Greatest 33 list of Indianapolis 500 drivers in 2011.

Personal life Unser was the father of two sons, Bobby Jr. and Robby, and two daughters, Cindy and Jeri. Unser coached Robby for the 1998 and 1999 Indianapolis 500. Unser was later convicted of a Federal misdemeanor, "unlawful operation of a snowmobile within a National Forest Wilderness Area" (16 U.S.C. 551, 36 C.F.R. 261.16(a)), and was fined $75. Unser appealed this decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court,

Death Unser died on May 2, 2021, at the age of 87 at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico from natural causes. Pallbearers outside of the Unser family included Willy T. Ribbs, Johnny Rutherford, and Rick Galles.

Racing record

American open-wheel racing results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Complete USAC Championship Car results

CART

Indianapolis 500 results

Indy 500 qualifying results Year Att # Date Time QualDay Car # Laps QualTime QualSpeed Rank Start Comment 1967 4 05-13 4 1 6 4 — 164.752 9 8 1968 6 05-18 6 1 3 4 — 169.507 3 3 1969 12 05-24 12 2 1 4 3:32.1600 169.683 3 3 1970 24 05-16 24 1 3 4 3:33.6400 168.508 8 7 1971 17 05-15 17 1 2 4 3:24.7600 175.816 3 3 1972 13 05-14 16:49 1 6 4 3:03.7300 195.940 1 1 1973 19 05-12 13:28 1 8 0 — — — — 1973 29 05-12 17:20 1 8 4 3:01.6500 198.183 2 2 1974 14 05-11 11:40 1 48 4 3:14.4100 185.176 8 7 1975 16 05-10 13:14 1 48 4 3:08.4100 191.073 3 3 1976 1 05-15 14:36 1 3 1 — — — — PULLED OFF 1976 34 05-16 13:15 2 3 4 3:11.9800 187.520 5 12 1977 6 05-14 11:44 1 6 1 — — — — PULLED OFF 1977 32 05-14 16:48 1 6 4 3:02.0700 197.726 2 2 1978 30 05-20 17:07 2 48 4 3:04.9400 194.658 10 20 1979 17 05-13 14:08 1 12 4 3:09.5600 189.913 4 4 1980 23 05-10 14:16 1 11 4 3:09.4800 189.994 3 3 1981 19 05-16 11:36 1 3 4 2:59.5100 200.546 2 1

Complete Formula One World Championship results Unser participated in two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix.

(key)

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

Grand National Series

Winston Cup Series

Daytona 500 Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish 1969 Smokey Yunick Ford 4 42