Al Unser – 4 Indianapolis 500 wins (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987 – all with Penske)

Lore & Background

He repeated the feat the following year, becoming the second driver to win back-to-back 500s—and doing it with a calm that seemed almost supernatural.

In Their Own Story

Unser, initially not scheduled to drive, took over the Penske entry after Danny Ongais was injured in practice. In the closing laps, with rain threatening to wash out the track, Unser’s veteran instincts kept him ice-cold as younger drivers pushed too hard and spun or pitted in panic. He crossed the line under caution, a quiet triumph for a man who had already done it three times—this one tasting sweeter because no one expected it.

Reader's Guide

Al Unser’s four Indianapolis 500 wins are a cornerstone of IndyCar history, each one a different lesson in winning. Unser’s record ties him with A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Hélio Castroneves for most wins, but his all-Penske achievement is unique: no other driver has won all their 500s with the same team. These wins helped define the Indianapolis 500 as a race where teamwork and longevity matter as much as talent—and where a quiet man from Albuquerque could become a legend.

Did You Know?

• Al Unser is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in three different decades (1970s, 1980s).
• Unser’s four wins all came with Roger Penske’s team, a feat unmatched by any other driver-team combination.
• He is one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times.