Unser Racing Museum

<table width="90%" border="0" align="center"> <tr> <td width="10%"> </td> <td><p align="center" class="bottomText">Thank you for visiting the Unser Racing Museum.This site requires Macromedia Flash Player 5 or higher in order to be viewed properly. You can get the Flash Player <a href="http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p class="bottomText"> <span class="style1">Family History:</span><span class="style2"> <br /> </span><span class="style1">Jerry Unser Sr.</span><br /> Jerry Sr., born Jerome Henry Unser in 1899, was the second son born to Louis and Marie Unser. Jerry and his brothers were the first to ascend Pike's Peak in a motorcycle and sidecar in September of 1915, the year before an actual road had been built. Once the Pike's Peak road was built they were regular competitors in the annual race. After serving in the Navy during WWI, Jerry lived a short time in California. There he served with the Castro Valley volunteer fire department. *He salvaged a 1917 Winston Touring Car from a ditch and converted it into Castro Valley’s first fire truck. In 1931 Jerry returned to Colorado Springs where he met and married Mary Craven, an accomplished pianist, and started his family. First came twins Jerry Jr. and Louis, followed by Bobby. In 1936 Jerry moved his family to Albuquerque where he opened a small garage. Within a few years he had relocated his garage, adding a filling station, to the western end of Central Avenue. Son Alfred (Al) was born in 1939. By this time Jerry had earned a reputation for being able to “fix things nobody else could.” Jerry’s sons learned to drive a Model A Ford he’d acquired, on the burro trails on the outskirts of Albuquerque. Before long they had progressed to driving in races. Jerry taught each of his sons to stick with their endeavors, no matter how difficult, and to do their best at everything they tried. The boys competed in and won at many short tracks in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado and in 1955 they competed in their biggest race yet, Pike’s Peak. Jerry Unser died in 1967 and his wife, Mary, continued to be their sons’ biggest fan until her passing in 1975. </p> <p class="bottomText"><span class="style1">Jerry Unser Jr.</span><br /> Jerry Unser, Jr. was born in 1932, the firstborn twin son of Jerry Sr. and Mary Unser. Jerry, an aggressive child and a star wrestler in high school, displayed the traits needed to be a good racer early on. After learning to drive the Model A Ford his father bought for the boys, Jerry quickly progressed to racing in his early teens. He and his brothers became known throughout the Southwest as being formidable short track competitors. In 1952, while in the Navy and stationed in Hawaii, Jerry raced during his “off” time, winning the Hawaiian stock car title in 1953, and winning the adoration of Hawaii’s racing fans. In 1954 he was discharged and sent off with a huge farewell party, the “Jerry Unser Aloha Night”. Jerry returned to Albuquerque to work in his father’s shop and to prepare to race at Pike’s Peak where he finished fourth in his first try in 1955. He married Jeanne Lamberth in 1956 and soon had two sons, Jerry and Johnny. In 1956 and ’57 Jerry returned to Pike’s Peak to win the stock car class both years. In 1958 Jerry’s first attempt at the Indianapolis “500” ended during the warm up lap when a multi-car accident sent his car over the wall. A few weeks later he raced at Pike’s Peak, shifting and turning with one hand due to the dislocated shoulder he’d sustained in the Indy wreck. This race didn’t end well for Jerry, who rolled his car into a ditch and broke his nose. Early May of 1959 found Jerry Jr. at Indianapolis again, practicing for his second try at the “500”. He hit the wall during a practice lap and was badly burned. He succumbed to his injuries and pneumonia 17 days later.</p> <p class="bottomText"> <span class="style1">Louie Unser </span><br /> Louis (Louie) Unser, the younger of the twins born to Jerry Sr. and Mary Unser, was born in 1932. Louie was a scrawny kid who stuttered, but he was also known for getting into fights with those who gave him or his brothers any trouble. Once Louie began racing in his early teens, his aggression served him well behind the wheel. Soon Louie, Jerry and Bobby were winning short track races throughout New Mexico and surrounding states. At his first try at Pike’s Peak in 1955 Louie finished third driving Bobby’s car. His little brother had offered his own car to Louie after the boys’ uncle Louis had talked Louie’s car owner out of the deal, saying Louie was too young for such a powerful car. Soon Louie moved to California, working as a race car mechanic and engine-builder. He teamed up with his twin, keeping the cars running while Jerry drove, and they won the National Stock Car Championship in 1957. After Jerry’s death in 1959, Louie mourned for a short time, but then he returned to Pike’s Peak in 1960 and ’61, winning the stock car class both years. From 1961 to 1964 Louie worked for various car manufacturers, building motors in the shop and attending to cars during races. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1964. He continued to serve as a race team crew chief, including pushing little brother Al at the ’65 Indy “500”, until the M.S. forced him to retire from racing and concentrate on building up his engine business. Louie continued to work long hours in his shop, and also gave time to fund raising for the M.S. Society—in 1982 he was named the MS "Father of the Year". Louie retired in 1990 and passed away in 2004 at the age of 71.</p> <p class="bottomText"> <span class="style1">Bobby Unser</span><br /> The third son of Jerry and Mary Unser, born in 1934, Bobby (Robert William) Unser began his racing career driving his father’s cars in the annual Mexican road race at age 15 and by the time he was 18 he was winning races and championships. His goal in his early days of racing was to win at Pike’s Peak. He accomplished this at the young age of 22 in 1956. Bobby then pursued a wider range of racing and became known as an outstanding Sprint car driver. He learned to fly airplanes in order to get to distant races quickly. Bobby made his first trip to Indy in 1963, and had his first win there in 1968. He went on to win the Indy 500 in ’75 and ’81 as well. He was a 2-time USAC-CART national champion (1968, 1974) and ranks 5th on all-time CART list with 35 career wins. Bobby is the father of two sons, Bobby Jr. and Robby, and two daughters, Cindy and Jeri. After retiring from Indycar driving in 1982, Bobby did developmental work for Audi, lapping one at 206.8 MPH. And in 1986, after a 12 year absence from the Pike’s Peak race, he won his event for the tenth time driving an Audi Quattro, breaking the tie he had with Uncle Louis for nine overall victories apiece. The 1986 win brought Bobby’s total number of Pike’s Peak victories to 13, including two stock car class victories (1969 and 1974) and a single sports car class win (1963). Bobby has continued to pursue his interests with energy and passion. He has been a commentator for ABC television at many Indycar races and in 2003 he published a book, ““Winners are Driven: A Champion’s Guide to Success in Business and Life”. </p> <p class="bottomText"><span class="style1">Al Unser Sr. </span><br /> Al (Alfred) Unser was born in 1939, the youngest son of Jerry Sr. and Mary Unser. As a teen, Al played football, but racing quickly became his first love. In 1957 he won his first race in a modified stock car built by his father and brother Bobby. This was just the beginning of an amazing career. His first big wins were at Pike’s Peak in 1964 and ’65. Also in 1965 Al went to his first Indianapolis “500” where he finished ninth in A.J. Foyt’s backup car. Al’s car had blown its engine during qualifying and Foyt generously offered a ride to the dejected young rookie. Greater things were still to come…. Al was only the fourth driver ever to achieve back to back wins of the Indy “500”—in 1970 and ’71—a feat not repeated since! In 1978 Al became the first and only driver to win the Triple Crown of 500-milers –Indianapolis, Pocono, and Ontario—in a single year. In 1985 he won his third national championship after taking over the injured Rick Mears’ car and beating his son, Al Jr., by one point. Indianapolis “500” race day in 1987 was a surprise to everyone, including Al himself. Five days before his 48th birthday Al won his fourth Indy “500” driving a backup car owned by Roger Penske, who had asked Al to step in for the injured Danny Ongais in early May. Al had traveled to Indianapolis that year not sure if he would even drive in the race. “Big Al” retired from racing in 1994 with eight 500-mile victories, 39 career wins, and he is ranked third on the all-time Indy Car victory list. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998. Since retirement he has served as a driver coach and consultant for the Indy Racing League. </p> <p class="bottomText"><span class="style1">Al Unser Jr.</span><br /> Al Unser, Jr., nicknamed “Little Al”, son of Al Unser, Sr. and first wife Wanda, was born in Albuquerque in 1962. His father and uncle having already earned fame behind the wheel before he was even born, it was no surprise that “Little Al” would follow in their footsteps. Al Jr. also credits his cousin, Bobby Jr., with inspiring him. Al Jr. began racing go-karts at age 9 and moved on to sprint cars in his early teens. In 1981 he was named the SCCA Rookie of the Year after winning the Super Vees championship and in 1982 he finished fifth in his first IndyCar 500-miler in California. Also in 1982 he drove his uncle’s dirt car for his first race up Pike’s Peak, finishing fourth. And he returned to the Peak in ’83 to win. In 1984, Al Jr. won his first PPG Cup event and in 1985 he lost the closest point battle in IndyCar history (151-150) to his father. Al Jr. continued to regularly win races, including two wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, building up to his first Indy “500” win in 1992. This was the closest win ever in Indy history, .043 seconds over Scott Goodyear. And in 1994 Al Jr. collected eight wins, his second Indy “500” win and a second PPG Cup. That year he was named ABC Wide World of Sports “Athlete of the Year.” In the years following his second Indy “500” win Al Jr. continued to compete in and win many CART and Indy Racing League events. Since retiring in 2004 Al Jr. has been spending time with his children, Joey, Shannon, and Cody, and he also has been active in advising his oldest son, Al Unser III (“Just Al”) as he is getting his own racing career off the ground.</p> <p class="bottomText"> <span class="style1">Unser Racing Museum</span><br /> The Museum has received a 4 star rating by its visitors which increase daily. Al, Sr. is around most days making sure everything is in tip top shape. The gift shop is getting more inventory every day.</p> <p align="center" class="bottomText"> (505) 341-1776 | OPEN 10 - 4 DAILY | 1776 Montaño NW Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107</p></td> <td width="10%"> </td> </tr> </table> <a href="http://unserracingmuseum.com/links.htm" target="_blank">Unser Racing Museum Links Page</a> <table width="597" border="0" align="center" bordercolor="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tr> <td><img src="graphics/linksheader.jpg" width="597" height="85" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.autopedia.com" target="_blank">Autopedia</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.firestonetire.com/racing/index_fs.asp" target="_blank">Firestone Racing</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.motorsportshalloffame.com/">International Motorsports Hall of Fame</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.indyracing.com/" target="_blank">Indy Racing League </a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www2.indystar.com/sports/racing/">Indy Star - Auto Racing </a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.brickyard.com/">Indianapolis Motor Speedway</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/index.asp">Motorsport Vision - UK</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.nascar.com/">NASCAR.com</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><a href="http://www.racing-reference.com/index.jsp">Racing Reference.com</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><a href="mailto:cathy@unserracingmuseum.com?subject=Link Addition">If you want to add your link to our site, click here.</a></div></td> </tr> </table>