By Dick Mittman
indy500.com
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Legend has it that Jerry Unser, patriarch of the racing Unser clan, traded his sons' donkey for a Model T Ford so they could learn to drive while still in grade school.
That was nearly 70 years ago. Today, the racing Unsers - Jerry, Louis, Bobby, Al, Al Jr., Johnny, Robby and Al III - have been the most prominent family at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the past half-century. They've driven in 73 Indy 500s, combined for a record nine victories, led 1,194 laps and carted away $11,403,248 in prize money.
The Unser family was honored Sunday, May 4 as participation began for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25. Five of the Unsers answered fan questions and later signed autographs in the Pagoda Plaza as Rookie Orientation took place on the track.
Since three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby, the eldest of the Unser drivers, was detained by a speaking engagement, Al Unser was asked about the donkey-for-a-Model T deal made by his father.
"Well, I was too young at the time," Big Al said. "I don't think he traded it. I think it was one of those deals where my brothers finally decided they didn't need the donkey anymore and wanted something to drive, so that's probably a true story."
But Big Al knows that while most boys their age were riding in wagons or riding bicycles, the Unser boys already were racing cars on the wilds around their Albuquerque home.
"Well, we started driving very young," Al Unser said. "There in Albuquerque where we lived, it was open territory out there, and the police weren't as strict as they are today. We kind of went and did what we wanted to do in the prairie out there, not on the highway streets or city streets because we were out in the country. Yeah, we did drive around and get in trouble."
Al, who will turn 69 on May 29, said he first got behind the wheel of a Model T when he was about 8 or 9. He asked his father if he could have one of the old cars in the yard around the garage he ran. Dad told him he could drive the Model T if he could get it running.
"I did," Al said. "It took me awhile to learn what I had to do, but he wouldn't help me."
Actually, the Unser legend at Indy goes back to 1928. Brothers Jerry, Louis and Joe Unser had a contract to bring a car to the Speedway in 1929, but then Joe was killed testing the car on a Colorado highway, and the Coleman Front Drive Co. pulled its financial backing.
Finally, in 1940 Louis Unser made it to Indy. He passed the early phases of his driver's test, but his Bill Holabird Spl. Car had an improper front-end alignment, and he could not complete the final 25-lap session. He departed, not to return, but became a nine-time winner of the Pike's Peak Hill Climb.
Fifty years ago, Jerry Unser, with twin brother, Louie, as his mechanic, qualified for the "500." He failed to complete a lap due to a massive first-lap crash. Jerry returned in 1959 but crashed on May 2 and died of his injuries on May 17.
This did not deter the other racing Unsers brothers from continuing in the sport.
"You know, it really wasn't hard," Big Al said, "because Jerry was doing what he wanted to do. He loved life; he loved to race. It was one of those deals. We hated to lose Jerry, but in no way did it hamper our desire to come here and race, and race elsewhere.
Bobby qualified for the 1963 "500," and there has been an Unser at the Speedway in some capacity every year since. Bobby won Indy in 1968, 1975 and 1981, the latter his final race.
Al joined him in the field in 1965, won back-to-back Indianapolis 500's in 1970-71, then in 1978 won a third time and also took the checkered flag at Pocono and Ontario to become the only driver to win three 500-mile races in a single season. He joined A.J. Foyt, who gave him his first ride, as a four-time Indy winner in 1987 when Roger Penske pulled a show car out of a Pennsylvania hotel for him to drive. Al added another chapter to the Unser lore.
Al's son, Al Jr., arrived at Indy in 1983, and they became the first father and son to drive in the race together. Al won in 1992 and again in 1994. He made his 19th start last May and took his physical before Sunday's question/autograph session.
"We're here as a driver coach," he said. "I did get cleared by the docs over there to be a driver. We'll see what happens during the month and go from there."
The next Unser to arrive on the Indy scene was Johnny, the son of Jerry, in 1996. He was followed by Bobby's son Robby in 1998. Today, Johnny, who lives in Idaho, is a consultant for Cooper Tires and race director for the Formula Atlantic series, while Robby runs a "drifting" school, a new form of motorsports that appeals to young drivers, in Albuquerque.
Finally, there is Al Unser III, who will keep the legend going as he drives in his second Firestone Indy Lights Firestone Freedom 100 on Friday, May 23. He hopes to keep the Unser story going by getting an Indy 500 ride next year.
"When somebody will put me in one, put me in an Indy car," he replied to a question about his "500" future. "I definitely want to be here as soon as I can."
Maybe Al III could drive for his father. Al Jr. said he would like to become a car owner.
"Yes, someday I'd love to do it," he said. "For whatever reason, Uncle Bobby never owned a car that ran here. My dad never owned a car that ran here. I would, yes, love to do that someday. We're working toward that. God willing, it will happen."
The Unsers have come a long way since that donkey was traded. What is the attraction of the Indy 500 to this Albuquerque family? Maybe Johnny Unser explained it best.
"Losing my dad here when I was just a baby, this place, like Al said, I think it means as much or more to our family than it does to a lot of people, because of there's so much history here."
***
Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, the 92nd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.
Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Monday-Sunday during May, with special hours of 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Pole Day, Saturday, May 10 and 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Race Day, Sunday, May 25. Online orders can be made at any time.
Race Day ticket prices start at just $20.
Related Stories
- Olympic Champion Yamaguchi Serving As Indy 500 Honorary Starter
- Watch Indy 500 Stars On 'Indy Live' Thursday Night At indy500.com
- Veterans Yasukawa, Giebler Land Rides For Indy
- Firestone Indy Lights Vet Camara Climbs To Indy 500 With Conquest
- George Pleased With Series Momentum; Nabors To Return To Sing At Indy
| Indianapolis 500 Talkback | Post Comment |
|
|
|