3-Time Indy 500 Champion Bobby Unser Dead at 87

NTT IndyCar Series legend Bobby Unser has passed away at the age of 87 in his New Mexico home, Indianapolis Motor Speedway confirmed on May 3.

Unser won the iconic Indianapolis 500 three times in 1968, 1975 and 1981. He won 35 races in his career, with his last win coming in the 1981 Indianapolis 500 after a controversial finish.

Race officials ruled that Unser had passed cars illegally while exiting pit road. The win was given to Mario Andretti, relegating Unser back to second. Team owner Roger Penske and Unser appealed the penalty, which was eventually overturned in October 1981.

Unser won two championships in CART along with eight top-three points finishes.

Today we remember the life and legacy of Bobby Unser. pic.twitter.com/TyV7cRQ7xH

— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) May 3, 2021

Unser also won two USAC National Championships in 1968 and 1974. He competed in USAC Sprint Car, Midget and Stock races as well.

Unser came from a rich family history. His brother, Al Unser, won the Indianapolis 500 four times, one of only three drivers to do so. Al Unser Jr. followed suit en route to two Indy 500 victories. Bobby Unser was one of six drivers from the Unser family to compete in the event.

Unser also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1955. After his racing career came to a close, Unser shifted over to the broadcast booth, where he served in the booth for ABC Sports, NBC, ESPN and the IMS Radio Network.

The Colorado Springs, Colo., native is one of only 10 drivers to win three Indy 500 trophies. In 19 career Indy 500 starts, Unser had 10 top 10 results and led 440 laps, good for 10th on the all-time list.

He is survived by his wife Lisa, two sons (Robby and Bobby Jr.) and daughters (Cindy and Jeri).

Luken Glover

Luken Glover joined the Frontstretch team in 2020 as a news writer before elevating to a columnist, where he served as the longtime writer for The Underdog House. Currently, he is an editor for the site and conducts feature interviews. Glover has covered several forms of racing for the site including NASCAR, CARS Tour, and SRX events.

A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a promotional writer, elementary athletic director, and basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.