Al Unser

American race–car driver
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Also known as: Alfred Unser
Quick Facts
Byname of:
Alfred Unser
Born:
May 29, 1939, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Died:
December 9, 2021, Chama, New Mexico
Also Known As:
Alfred Unser

Al Unser (born May 29, 1939, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.—died December 9, 2021, Chama, New Mexico) was an American automobile-racing driver from a prestigious family of drivers, who won the Indianapolis 500 four times (1970–71, 1978, and 1987).

In 1964 Unser won the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, an event dominated by his family, especially his brother Bobby. He repeated the feat the following year, and in 1968 Al won five United States Automobile Club (USAC) races, placing third in the season’s rankings and second in 1969. In 1970 he won both the Indianapolis 500 and the USAC championship. He also drove in stock-car races from 1967. Unser became the oldest driver to win the Indianopolis 500 in 1987, when he was almost 48 years old (Bobby had previously set the record in 1981 at age 47). He retired from racing in 1994. His son Al Unser, Jr., was also a multiple winner of the Indianapolis 500.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.