Al Unser Jr.

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Lore & Background

Al Unser Jr. was born into a racing family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is the son of Al Unser and the nephew of Bobby Unser, both Indianapolis 500 winners. By the age of eleven, Unser was racing sprint cars. After high school, he was already in the World of Outlaws series. He soon moved into road racing, winning the Super Vee title in 1981, and the Can-Am title in 1982. In 1982, he made his CART debut. He suffered personal tragedy when his sister Debbie was killed in a dune buggy accident. A year later, he competed in his first Indianapolis 500, finishing ninth, though a penalty dropped him to tenth. He lost the Rookie of the Year award to Teo Fabi. Unser finished second in the CART championship point standings in 1985, losing to his father by just one point. He won the IROC championship in 1986 and 1988, becoming the final Indycar driver to win an IROC championship. He won the 24 Hours of Daytona in both 1986 and 1987. Unser finished fourth in points in 1986, third in 1987, second in 1988, and finally won the series for the first time in 1990. In 1989, while battling Emerson Fittipaldi for the lead at the Indianapolis 500, the two touched wheels and Unser spun, hitting the wall. Unser climbed out and gave Fittipaldi the "thumbs up" as he drove by under the yellow flag. Unser won the 1992 Indianapolis 500, defeating Scott Goodyear by 0.043 seconds, a record that stood for 34 years as the second closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history. During the off-season, he drove in the 1993 Daytona 500 for Hendrick Motorsports, finishing 36th in his only NASCAR start. He also tested a Williams F1 car, but never competed in Formula One. In 1994, Unser again won at Indy with Penske Racing, turning in a dominant season-long performance, winning eight of sixteen races on his way to his second CART championship. In 1995, Unser and teammate Emerson Fittipaldi failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Unser would later point to this as the trigger for his descent into alcoholism and the breakup of his marriage. He finished second to Jacques Villeneuve in CART championship points in 1995. Unser won a total of 31 races during his seventeen seasons in CART. His career win total including IRL stands at 34. Unser won three races in his IRL career. After breaking his pelvis in an ATV accident in October 2003, he announced his retirement on June 30, 2004. In 2006, he returned to run the Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, but a crash ended his day. In 2007, he drove for A. J. Foyt in the Indianapolis 500. On May 18, 2007, Unser spoke publicly for the first time about his battle with alcoholism. In 2009, Unser confirmed his IndyCar career was over. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009. On September 29, 2011, Unser was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on charges of reckless driving and aggravated driving while intoxicated. In 2013, he entered the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, racing with his son Al III as teammates. In 2014, he won the Indy Legends Charity Pro/Am race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, becoming the second driver to win on both the oval and road course at the Speedway.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the crowd at Indianapolis in 1992 was a deafening wave as Al Unser Jr. crossed the yard of bricks, his car a blur of orange and white. For a split second, he wasn't sure if he'd won—Scott Goodyear's nose was inches behind. Then the checkered flag waved, and the radio crackled with his team's screams. 'We did it, Little Al!' In the pits, his father, Al Unser, watched from the timing stand, a rare smile breaking through. That night, the victory lane champagne tasted like redemption, a moment when the son stepped out of the legend's shadow and into his own spotlight.

Reader's Guide

Al Unser Jr.'s prime era spanned from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. Driving primarily for Galles Racing and later Team Penske, he was known for his tactical intelligence and ability to conserve tires while maintaining blistering pace. His greatest achievements include winning the Indianapolis 500 twice (1992, 1994) and securing two CART series championships (1990, 1994). His rivalry with Emerson Fittipaldi produced some of the most memorable duels in series history, particularly at the 1989 Indianapolis 500. Unser Jr.'s legacy is that of a driver who balanced raw talent with a strategic mind, often excelling in long, grueling races. Though his career later faced setbacks due to personal issues, his impact on IndyCar is significant—he remains a symbol of the Unser family's enduring influence on American open-wheel racing.

Did You Know?

• Al Unser Jr. won the Can-Am championship in 1982.
• He won the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1983, joining his great uncle, uncle, and father as winners.
• Unser has the most Long Beach Grand Prix victories in history, winning six times.
• He won the 1992 Indianapolis 500 by 0.043 seconds over Scott Goodyear, a record that stood for 34 years as the second closest finish in race history.
• Unser is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, winning in 1986 and 1987.