Al Unser, a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, died Dec. 9.
He was 82.
According to a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Unser died at his home in Chama, N.M. He had been diagnosed with cancer over a decade ago, though a cause of death was not revealed.
“My heart is so saddened,” Al Unser Jr., Unser’s son, tweeted Dec. 10. “My father passed away last night. He was a great man and even a greater father. Rest in peace Dad!”
Unser last appeared in the Indy 500 in 1993, failing to qualify in what would be his final attempt in 1994. He first won the vaunted race in 1970, with his other victories coming in 1971, 1978 and 1987.
In IndyCar over a 30-year career, Unser won 36 races, his final victory coming in the 1987 Indy 500.
Unser was also a four-time winner in the Champ Car World Series and scored three triumphs in the International Race of Champions.
He even competed in five NASCAR Cup Series races, earning a best finish of fourth, twice, in the 1968 Daytona 500 and at Riverside International Raceway in 1969.
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