Professional Auto Racer. He was a member of the famous racing Unser family, who was the first of the Unser family to compete at Indianapolis. Unser was critically injured on the second day of qualifying for the 1959 Indianapolis 500 on May 2, 1959 and died on May 17th from complications of burns, which he suffered during his accident. Following the accident, it became mandatory for drivers to wear fire-resistant driving suits. Earlier in his career, he had survived a dramatic flip over the wall during the multi-car accident on the first lap of the 1958 race that claimed the life of Pat O'Connor. He was the older brother of Louie, race car driver and master engine builder; Al, the four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, in 1970, 1971, 1978, and 1987; and Bobby, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, in 1968, 1975, and 1981. He was the father of Johnny Unser, a five-time 500 veteran; uncle of Al Unser, Jr., two-time winner in 1992 and 1994; and Robby, two-time 500 veteran. His father Jerry Sr. and uncles Joe and Louis were also race car drivers. Joe was killed during a practice accident in 1929. Jerry Sr. then retired from racing and went into the automotive business. Louis became a multiple winner of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. At the time of his death, he was married with two sons with the youngest being an eight-month-old, Johnny.
Professional Auto Racer. He was a member of the famous racing Unser family, who was the first of the Unser family to compete at Indianapolis. Unser was critically injured on the second day of qualifying for the 1959 Indianapolis 500 on May 2, 1959 and died on May 17th from complications of burns, which he suffered during his accident. Following the accident, it became mandatory for drivers to wear fire-resistant driving suits. Earlier in his career, he had survived a dramatic flip over the wall during the multi-car accident on the first lap of the 1958 race that claimed the life of Pat O'Connor. He was the older brother of Louie, race car driver and master engine builder; Al, the four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, in 1970, 1971, 1978, and 1987; and Bobby, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, in 1968, 1975, and 1981. He was the father of Johnny Unser, a five-time 500 veteran; uncle of Al Unser, Jr., two-time winner in 1992 and 1994; and Robby, two-time 500 veteran. His father Jerry Sr. and uncles Joe and Louis were also race car drivers. Joe was killed during a practice accident in 1929. Jerry Sr. then retired from racing and went into the automotive business. Louis became a multiple winner of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. At the time of his death, he was married with two sons with the youngest being an eight-month-old, Johnny.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
Inscription
He Died As He Lived "A Great Race Driver"
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Unser memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
