BobbyUnser

Bobby Unser: A Legend Forged in Speed and Controversy

Robert William Unser, born February 20, 1934, and passing on May 2, 2021, was an American automobile racer whose career spanned multiple disciplines, leaving an indelible mark on motorsports, particularly in IndyCar and at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. At the time of his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994, Unser held the distinction of having the fourth most IndyCar Series wins with 35 victories, placing him among titans like his brother Al, A. J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti. His legacy is further cemented by his two United States Automobile Club (USAC) national championships in 1968 and 1974, and an unparalleled dominance at Pikes Peak, where he secured 10 overall titles and 13 including class wins. The Unser name is synonymous with the Indianapolis 500, with the family achieving a record nine victories. Bobby, alongside his brother Al Unser Sr., holds the unique distinction as the only set of brothers to have won the iconic race. Bobby Unser himself was one of only ten drivers to win the 500 three or more times, and the first of two (followed by Rick Mears) to achieve victories across three different decades (1968, 1975, 1981).

Early Career and Foundations

Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Unser’s family relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, when he was one year old, where his father established a garage on U.S. Route 66. This environment undoubtedly fostered his early interest in mechanics and speed. Before his racing career fully blossomed, Unser served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1955, where he distinguished himself as a top competition sharpshooter. His racing journey began in 1949, competing in a Modified at Roswell Speedway. By the age of 15 in 1950, he had already claimed his first championship in Southwest Modified Stock Cars. The mid-1950s saw Bobby, along with his brothers Jerry and Al, commit to pursuing professional racing careers in USAC. This formative period was also marked by tragedy, as his brother Jerry Unser died in a practice crash for the 1959 Indianapolis 500. A testament to his forward-thinking approach to safety, Unser was an early adopter of five-point harnesses, integrating them into his race cars after observing their effectiveness in aviation.

Pikes Peak Dominance

Unser’s connection to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was profound, with the event often dubbed "Unser's Peak" due to his family's long-standing success there. He made his debut in 1955, finishing fifth behind his two brothers. The following year, he secured his first championship at Pikes Peak, initiating a remarkable period of dominance. From 1958 to 1963, Unser claimed six consecutive titles, a streak that was eventually broken in 1964 by his younger brother, Al. Unser remains the all-time leader at Pikes Peak with ten overall wins, having set a new track record eight times during his career. His enduring impact on the event was highlighted in 1986 when, after a 12-year absence, Audi approached him to reclaim the record Michele Mouton had set. Driving an Audi Quattro, Unser not only won the event for the tenth time but also eclipsed Mouton's time by a significant 16 seconds. This victory also broke his tie with his Uncle Louis Unser, who had nine overall wins. Including two stock car class victories (1969 and 1974) and a single sports car class win (1963), Unser's total Pikes Peak victories reached 13.

IndyCar Debut and Formative Years

While his Pikes Peak exploits were legendary, Unser's ambition extended to the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing. Despite initial self-doubt, stating, "I never considered Indianapolis because I didn't think I was good enough," he was convinced by Rufus (Parnelli Jones) to pursue an IndyCar career, a decision Unser remained indebted for. His official IndyCar debut came in 1962, though Pikes Peak races were part of the IndyCar season in the 1950s. From 1963 to 1965, he raced for Andy Granatelli, utilizing a Novi engine. His first Indianapolis 500 appearance in 1963 ended prematurely with a crash, placing him 33rd. The 1964 Indianapolis 500 was tragically cut short for Unser on the second lap, caught in the multi-car accident that claimed the lives of Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald. He then moved to an IndyCar owned by Bob Willke, racing with the team from 1966 to 1970. His inaugural IndyCar victory arrived in 1967 at Mosport, Ontario, signaling his burgeoning potential. Unser also participated in two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix during his career.

Peak Years and Championship Success

The year 1968 marked a pivotal moment in Unser's career. He secured his first Indianapolis 500 victory, becoming the first driver to exceed 170 miles per hour at the iconic track. This triumph was part of a dominant season where, working with crew chief Jud Phillips, Unser clinched his first USAC National Driving Championship, with additional wins at Stardust International Raceway, Phoenix Raceway, Trenton Speedway, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. In 1972, Unser joined Dan Gurney's All American Racers team, campaigning a John Miller Offenhauser engine. This period showcased his adaptability and technical prowess. He set another Indianapolis 500 record for the fastest qualifying time at 195.940 miles per hour (315.335 km/h), a significant leap in speed attributed to the introduction of wings, which were allowed for the first time that year. That season, Unser captured nine pole positions in ten races and secured four victories. His consistent performance continued, leading to his second USAC National Driving Championship in 1974. In 13 races, he recorded four wins, four second-place finishes, and an impressive twelve top-five results. His second Indianapolis 500 win came in 1975, in a race shortened by torrential rain on lap 174. He added two more wins in 1976 with the Fletcher Racing Team and remained with Gurney's outfit until 1979.

Team Penske and the Controversial Finale

From 1979 to 1981, Unser joined Team Penske in the CART series, brought in by Roger Penske to complement the young talent of Rick Mears. Despite Unser's six victories compared to Mears' three during this period, Mears ultimately secured the championship and the Indianapolis 500. In 1980, Unser became the first driver to win the California 500 four times, and with four wins that year, he finished a strong second in the season championship to Johnny Rutherford. His illustrious career culminated in 1981 with one of the most controversial finishes in Indianapolis 500 history. Unser, driving the pole-winning No. 3 Roger Penske-owned car, led 89 laps. On lap 149, during a caution period, both Unser and Mario Andretti made pit stops. Unser controversially passed eight cars under caution, while Andretti passed two. Unser crossed the finish line 5.18 seconds ahead, but was stripped of the victory the following morning in favor of Andretti, who was the only other car on the lead lap. Following a five-month legal battle and protest by Penske, Unser was re-awarded the win in October 1981, though he was fined $40,000 for the infraction. This event effectively marked the end of his active racing career, as he retired during off-season testing for Pat Patrick at Phoenix. In his autobiography, "Winners Are Driven," Unser contended that the entire controversy was politically motivated, alleging that USAC sought to create a rift between Pat Patrick (Andretti's car owner) and Roger Penske (Unser's car owner) to undermine CART. He maintained that Patrick's team did not protest the finish and that Patrick himself supported Unser in the dispute. The incident led to a prolonged period where Unser and Andretti did not speak, a silence that was finally broken in early 2017 when Andretti reached out to Unser during a period of illness.

Championships and Key Statistics

Bobby Unser's career was defined by a relentless pursuit of victory and a remarkable ability to adapt to different racing environments. His key statistics include: * 35 IndyCar Series wins (4th most at his 1994 Hall of Fame induction). * 2 USAC National Driving Championships (1968, 1974). * 3 Indianapolis 500 victories (1968, 1975, 1981), making him one of ten drivers with three or more wins, and the first to win in three decades. * 10 overall Pikes Peak International Hill Climb wins (all-time leader), with a total of 13 including class victories. * 1975 International Race of Champions (IROC) champion. * 1993 Fast Masters champion. * First driver to win the California 500 four times.

Post-Racing Career and Legacy

Following his retirement from active racing, Unser transitioned seamlessly into a successful career as a television broadcaster, serving as a commentator for IndyCar races for 20 years with networks like NBC, ABC, and ESPN. He also worked as an analyst for the IMS Radio Network in 1986. His broadcasting prowess was recognized in 1989 when ABC's telecast of the Indianapolis 500, featuring Unser alongside Paul Page and Sam Posey, received a Sports Emmy Award for "Outstanding Live Sports Special." He notably called his brother Al's record-tying fourth Indy 500 victory in 1987 and his 1985 CART championship, as well as his nephew Al Jr.'s Indy 500 wins in 1992 and 1994. Unser also lent his voice to NASCAR events between 1986 and 1992, famously spotting the post-race altercation between Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip's pit crews at the 1989 The Winston. Beyond the track and broadcast booth, Unser continued to push boundaries. He challenged Dan Gurney to improve his 1971 USAC car, a collaboration that led to the development of the innovative Gurney flap. In 1993, he set a new Bonneville Salt Flats record of 223.709 mph in a D/Gas Modified Roadster, a record that stood for 18 years. He also authored the book "Winners are Driven: A Champion's Guide to Success in Business and Life" in 2003. Unser's contributions to motorsports were widely recognized through numerous awards and inductions. He was named one of Sports Illustrated's "Top Five Athletes" in the magazine's first twenty years and received the Martini & Rossi and Olsonite "Driver of the Year" awards in 1974. He was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (1990), International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1990), Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1994), National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1997), Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum Hall of Fame (1997), Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (2011), and International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (2018). In 1999, he received the Indy 500 Front Row Award for his nine front-row qualifications, and in 2011, he was selected fourth in "The Greatest 33" list of Indianapolis 500 drivers.

Personal Life and Final Years

Bobby Unser was a family man, father to two sons, Bobby Jr. and Robby, and two daughters, Cindy and Jeri. He even coached his son Robby for his Indianapolis 500 appearances in 1998 and 1999. A notable incident in his personal life occurred in 1996 when he and a friend became lost while snowmobiling near his New Mexico ranch, enduring two days and nights in subzero temperatures before being found. He was subsequently convicted of a Federal misdemeanor for unlawful operation of a snowmobile in a National Forest Wilderness Area, fined $75, and his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied. Bobby Unser passed away on May 2, 2021, at the age of 87, from natural causes at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His funeral service saw tributes from Paul Page, with Mario Andretti and Roger Penske speaking via videotape, underscoring the profound respect he commanded across the motorsports world. He was interred at Sunset Memorial Park. Tragically, his son Bobby Unser Jr. passed away less than two months later. Bobby Unser's career was a testament to raw talent, technical curiosity, and an unyielding competitive spirit. From the treacherous slopes of Pikes Peak to the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis, he consistently pushed the limits, leaving an enduring legacy as one of motorsports' true legends.