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I read that we lost All Unser yesterday. RIP to a 4 time Indy winner, and legend.
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Come Race at The Trace!
Timberline Trace International Raceway - SW of Mpls, MN
https://cults3d.com/en/users/chappyman662/creations -
He was Fast , RIPCourtney Smith
Chattanooga TN -
A real gentleman racer that won a lot. 4 times at the Brickyard and 78 he won in a Chaparral (2K I think). We are nearing the end of an era or great drivers from the 50's to the 80's.Matt B
So. In
CrashersComment
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Ah, the racing Unser family. Sad to read of this. To me, the name "Unser" was synonymous with "Indy".
I agree, Matt.
We're losing some real gem's from the 50s-60s. I was quite saddened when Sir Stirling Moss passed. I really admired him and thought him a gifted driver. I also enjoyed listening to the interviews of him I have viewed. Loved his British accent!
AndreLast edited by LAMing; December 10, 2021, 07:38 PM.Andre Ming
Poteau, OKComment
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RIP Mr. Unser...they don't build them like that anymore!!!TOM...HOME RACING GOO GOO!!!
Warren, OhioComment
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I got to shake Al's, Bobby's and little Al's hands at the SVRA rally at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway about four years ago. They were honoring the whole Unser family. You always think of them as larger than life but Al Sr. and Bobby are not very big guys to have such big, you know what.
RIP AlButch Dunaway
Oxford, OhioComment
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A fitting tribute !
MarkComment
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Awhile back the commentators for a Mecum Auto Auction raised the question of what 4 they would put on a Mt. Rushmore of American race car drivers. There was nearly unanimous agreement on the top 3 - A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Dan Gurney. The commentators lobbied for Parnelli Jones for the 4th spot, perhaps motivated by the fact his off-road racing Bronco was in the auction.
While not being dismissive of any drivers HRW responders mentioned, Al Unser would certainly deserve serious consideration for the quartet.
I think we've all been blessed by having lived in this era to have watched and shared in their accomplishments. One of the things I love most about slot car racing is having replicas of great drivers' cars so they remain active in my sphere no matter what.Comment
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While at the Monterey Historic Races with my brother in 2004, we were walking from our rental car into the hotel. Then I said to my brother, "Check it out, that's Al Unser!" We walked over to him and introduced ourselves, telling him we were from Long Island, NY. My brother, who is 8 years younger than myself, told Big Al that he still had his original Johnny Lightning 1/64 die cast of the Indy 500 winning car, to which he replied with a smile, "So do I!" We all had a good laugh and a quick chat, thanking him for taking a few minutes from his busy schedule to talk to us. We didn't even bother him with photos or autograph requests. He was soft spoken and courteous, a perfect gentleman.
The thing that I always remember about Big Al was his ability to "save" a race car, driving fast but smoothly as to not use up the tires and brakes before the latter parts of the race when he would really need to lean on them for the win. An absolute Pro, and in my opinion one of the best drivers in the Indianapolis 500 races. It's no wonder that my all time favorite, Mr. A.J. Foyt, would give Big Al good references to car owners as he was breaking into the Indy racing circuit.
Rest in peace, Mr. Unser, and thanks for the enjoyment of watching a clean, calculating racer win 4 Indy 500s, and many other high profile events in his lifetime.
Another American racing legend is lost to us. -- Ernie
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