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Bobby Unser Sr.

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Bobby Unser Sr. Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA
Death
2 May 2021 (aged 87)
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
Burial
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA GPS-Latitude: 35.1071045, Longitude: -106.6352676
Plot
Block 19, Plot 229, Grave 6
Memorial ID
View Source
Hall of Fame Race Car Driver. A prominent member of the Unser family auto racing dynasty, he will be remembered as the three-time champion of the Indianapolis 500 competition (1968, 1975 and 1981). Born Robert William Unser, his father operated an automotive garage, his mother was a school teacher, Bobby's love for cars and racing was born from his father's profession and at the age of fifteen, he began his lengthly association as a racer, initially with stock cars. In 1950, he won his first title with the Southwest Modified Stock Car Championship and two-year later (1952), he expanded his driving experience with midget and sprint cars. During his service with the United States Air Force, he continued to race and following his discharge in 1956, he won his first of 13 championships in the "Pikes Peak" event. In 1959, the Unser family suffered a tragedy when Bobby's older brother Jerry was killed while preparing for the Indianapolis 500 event. In 1962, Bobby began his association with Indy and in 1968, he captured his first Indianapolis 500 event while becoming the first racer to top the speed of 170 miles per hour. Additionally, he went on to win the USAC Title twice (1968 and 1974). In 1972, he became the first pole position winner to top the speed of 180 and 190 miles per hour when he recorded a speed of above 195 miles per hour. Unser's third time in victory lane at Indianapolis in 1981 was shrouded in controversy. After Mario Andretti accused him of illegally passing during the race, Unser was stripped of the title. A legal battle brought on by the Penske team who managed Unser ensued. The result was the reinstatement of the title, however Unser was fined the sum of $40,000 dollars for the infraction. He retired from racing and went on to become a longtime broadcaster for nationally-televised auto racing events. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990. In addition to Jerry, his older brother Louis (Jerry's twin) was a professional race car driver. His younger brother Al Unser Sr. was an accomplished auto racer in his own right. His son Robby Unser and nephew Al Unser Jr. also became race car champions. In 2003, he penned the book "Winners are Driven: A Champions Guide to Success in Business and Life." He died from natural causes.
Hall of Fame Race Car Driver. A prominent member of the Unser family auto racing dynasty, he will be remembered as the three-time champion of the Indianapolis 500 competition (1968, 1975 and 1981). Born Robert William Unser, his father operated an automotive garage, his mother was a school teacher, Bobby's love for cars and racing was born from his father's profession and at the age of fifteen, he began his lengthly association as a racer, initially with stock cars. In 1950, he won his first title with the Southwest Modified Stock Car Championship and two-year later (1952), he expanded his driving experience with midget and sprint cars. During his service with the United States Air Force, he continued to race and following his discharge in 1956, he won his first of 13 championships in the "Pikes Peak" event. In 1959, the Unser family suffered a tragedy when Bobby's older brother Jerry was killed while preparing for the Indianapolis 500 event. In 1962, Bobby began his association with Indy and in 1968, he captured his first Indianapolis 500 event while becoming the first racer to top the speed of 170 miles per hour. Additionally, he went on to win the USAC Title twice (1968 and 1974). In 1972, he became the first pole position winner to top the speed of 180 and 190 miles per hour when he recorded a speed of above 195 miles per hour. Unser's third time in victory lane at Indianapolis in 1981 was shrouded in controversy. After Mario Andretti accused him of illegally passing during the race, Unser was stripped of the title. A legal battle brought on by the Penske team who managed Unser ensued. The result was the reinstatement of the title, however Unser was fined the sum of $40,000 dollars for the infraction. He retired from racing and went on to become a longtime broadcaster for nationally-televised auto racing events. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990. In addition to Jerry, his older brother Louis (Jerry's twin) was a professional race car driver. His younger brother Al Unser Sr. was an accomplished auto racer in his own right. His son Robby Unser and nephew Al Unser Jr. also became race car champions. In 2003, he penned the book "Winners are Driven: A Champions Guide to Success in Business and Life." He died from natural causes.

Bio by: C.S.



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: C.S.
  • Added: May 3, 2021
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/226393854/bobby-unser: accessed ), memorial page for Bobby Unser Sr. (20 Feb 1934–2 May 2021), Find a Grave Memorial ID 226393854, citing Sunset Memorial Park, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.