UNDATED – Bobby Unser, the winner of 1968, 1975, and 1981 Indianapolis 500s, passed away Sunday at the age of 87 at his New Mexico home.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced his death in a news release Monday.
“The Unser name is synonymous with racing, and Bobby Unser carried that legacy proudly. Indiana loved watching him race and be a part of the largest single-day sporting event. He gave us some special moments at the Indianapolis 500. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Unser family today as they grieve the loss of an incredible man,” said Governor Eric Holcomb.
Unser is one of 10 drivers to win the prestigious Indy 500 at least three times and was the first driver to win the race in three different decades, a feat later matched by Rick Mears.
Bobby was a member of the legendary Unser family of racecar drivers. His older brother, Jerry Unser, died at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a crash during practice ahead of the 1959 Indy 500.
His younger brother, Al Unser, is a four-time winner of the Indy 500, and his nephew Al Unser, Jr, won the race twice.
In total, six members of the Unser family have raced in the Indianapolis 500.
Unser was inducted into several motorsports Halls of Fame including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Bobby Unser is survived by his wife Lisa, sons Bobby Jr. and Robby, and daughters Cindy and Jeri.
