Al (Alfred), Sr. 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 for more than three decades, until Helio Castroneves won back to back victories in 2001 and ’02! 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.
