Three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser dies at 87
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Bobby Unser, winner of the 1968, 1975 and 1981 Indianapolis 500s, passed away Sunday at the age of 87 at his New Mexico home.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced his death in a news release Monday.
Unser is one of 10 drivers to win the prestigious Indy 500 at least three times and was the first driver to win the race in three different decades, a feat later matched by Rick Mears.
Bobby was a member of the legendary Unser family of racecar drivers. His older brother, Jerry Unser, died at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a crash during practice ahead of the 1959 Indy 500. His younger brother, Al Unser, is a four-time winner of the Indy 500, and his nephew Al Unser, Jr, won the race twice. In total, six members of the Unser family have raced in the Indianapolis 500.
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, one of the most colorful, outspoken and popular drivers in the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” died Sunday, May 2 at his New Mexico home. He was 87.
Unser won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981. He is one of just 10 drivers to win the “500” at least three times and is a member of numerous motorsports Halls of Fame, including induction into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1990. Unser and Rick Mears are the only drivers to win the “500” in three different decades. Unser is survived by his wife, Lisa; sons Bobby Jr. and Robby; and daughters Cindy and Jeri.
Bobby was a member of the legendary Unser family of racecar drivers. His older brother, Jerry Unser, died at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a crash during practice ahead of the 1959 Indy 500. His younger brother, Al Unser, is a four-time winner of the Indy 500, and his nephew Al Unser, Jr, won the race twice. In total, six members of the Unser family have raced in the Indianapolis 500. Unser was inducted into several motorsports Halls of Fame including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Bobby Unser is survived by his wife Lisa, sons Bobby Jr. and Robby, and daughters Cindy and Jeri.
Bobby Unser, three-time Indy 500 winner, dead at 87
In 1968, Unser claimed his first win at the Indy 500. He went on to win it again in 1975 and a controversial win in 1981. Author: WTHR.com staff Updated: 10:04 PM EDT May 4, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS Robert Bobby Unser, a three-time Indy 500 winner, has died at the age of 87.
Unser first raced at the Indianapolis 500 in 1963. It was a tough go as he crashed early and finished in 33rd place. In 1968, Unser claimed his first win at the legendary track. He went on to win it again in 1975.
Unser was also at the center of the controversial 1981 finish where both he and Mario passed cars under caution after pitting. Unser won the race, was stripped of it a day later and the win was awarded to Mario Andretti. After a lengthy protest and appeals process, Unser was awarded the win. Unser received a lot of backlash after that controversial win and Unser ended up retiring at the end of the year. He had specu
By Paul Kelly | Published: May 3, 2021
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, one of the most colorful, outspoken and popular drivers in the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” died Sunday, May 2 at his New Mexico home. He was 87.
Unser won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981. He is one of just 10 drivers to win the “500” at least three times and is a member of numerous motorsports Halls of Fame, including induction into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1990. Unser and Rick Mears are the only drivers to win the “500” in three different decades.
He was one of six members of the Unser family to race in the Indianapolis 500. Bobby and his brother Al, a four-time winner, are the only brothers to win the race.