Racing Legend Al Unser Sr. Dead at 82, Four-Time Indy 500 Champ

Racing officials revealed Friday morning that Al Unser Sr., a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 82 years old when he died.

Al Unser Jr., Unser Srson, confirmed the news in a statement released on Friday. Saying; “My heart is so saddened. My father passed away last night. He was a great man and even a greater Father.

Rest in Peace Dad!” Unser Sr. was a racing star who began participating in 1957 and later competed in the Indy 500 for the first time in 1965.Unser Sr. went on to win the race four times in total, including in 1987, when he became the race’s oldest winner at the age of 47 Unser Sr. also won three Indycar Series championships in 1970, 1983, and 1985 throughout his illustrious career.

Unser Sr. was tragically stricken with cancer 17 years ago, but he fought the disease heroically until his death on Thursday. Of course, Unser Sr. was not the only Unser to achieve racing glory… Al Unser Jr. and his father Al Unser Sr. are the only father-son tandem to ever win the Indy 500.

Bobby Unser, brother, also won the 500 three times. In 1986, Unser Sr. was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, and in 1998, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Story by : Norvisi Mawunyegah