Robert William "Bobby" Unser (born February 20, 1934 in was a U.S. automobile racer from Alberquerque, NM. He is the brother of Al Unser and Jerry Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser. He is one of seven drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 three times, and one of only two to have won the 500 in three different decades (1968, 75, 81).
1981 Indianapolis 500[]
Bobby was part of one of the most controversial finishes in Indy 500 history at the 1981 Indianapolis 500. In lap 149, during a caution period, Bobby and Mario Andretti made their pit stop and headed back to the race. Bobby passed eight cars during the caution, while Mario passed two cars. Their conduct was debated on ESPN Classic's Big Ticket episode in 2000. Unser won the race, but was stripped the next morning in favor of second place finisher Mario Andretti. Unser was awarded the win in October 1981.
Other achievements[]
Bobby was the 1975 IROC champion.
Bobby Unser won the USAC Indy car championships in 1968 and 1974. He also competed in the 1968 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International, driving for the BRM team.
He also drove in three NASCAR Grand National races from 1969 to 1973 with a best finish of fourth.
Bobby Unser won the 1993 Fastmasters championship.
Bobby Unser is set to appear in "32 Hours, 7 Minutes"; a documentary due out in 2007.
Broadcaster[]
He was a color commentator for Indycar races after his retirement.
Awards[]
- He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990.
- He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1997.
- Unser was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994.
Indy 500 results[]
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Kurtis Kraft | Novi | 16th | 33rd |
| 1964 | Ferguson | Novi | 22nd | 32nd |
| 1965 | Kurtis Kraft | Novi | 8th | 19th |
| 1966 | Huffaker | Offy | 28th | 8th |
| 1967 | Eagle | Ford | 8th | 9th |
| 1968 | Eagle | Offy | 3rd | 1st |
| 1969 | Lola | Offy | 3rd | 3rd |
| 1970 | Eagle | Ford | 7th | 11th |
| 1971 | Eagle | Offy | 3rd | 12th |
| 1972 | Eagle | Offy | 1st | 30th |
| 1973 | Eagle | Offy | 2nd | 13th |
| 1974 | Eagle | Offy | 7th | 2nd |
| 1975 | Eagle | Offy | 3rd | 1st |
| 1976 | Eagle | Offy | 12th | 10th |
| 1977 | Lightning | Offy | 2nd | 18th |
| 1978 | Eagle | Cosworth | 19th | 6th |
| 1979 | Penske | Cosworth | 4th | 5th |
| 1980 | Penske | Cosworth | 3rd | 19th |
| 1981 | Penske | Cosworth | 1st | 1st |
External link[]
| Unser Family |
|---|
| Al Unser | Bobby Unser | Al Unser, Jr. |