Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser has died at age 82, Indianapolis Motor Speedway confirmed early Friday.
>> PHOTOS: Al Unser through the years
Sad news to wake up to. @jdouglas4 tells me Al Unser Sr passed away peacefully at home overnight after a 17 year battle with cancer. What an honor to have been there for his gold brick presentation last May. #Legend #AlUnserSr pic.twitter.com/kGYilD8q7B
— Lindy Thackston (@lindythackston) December 10, 2021
According to The Associated Press, Unser died Thursday at his New Mexico home following a 17-year battle with cancer. His wife, Susan, was with him when he died, the news agency reported.
The legendary driver won the Indy 500 in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. Only three other drivers – A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves – have logged four wins in the race, according to the AP.
The first “Four-Time #Indy500 Winners’ Club” meeting took place at #IMS yesterday.
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) July 21, 2021
The first order of business was to welcome the latest member to the club, @h3lio.#IsItMayYet | #INDYCAR https://t.co/hFsbbczkdJ
News of Unser’s death came just months after his brother, fellow Indy 500 champion Bobby Unser, died in May at age 87, the AP reported. Bobby Unser’s son, Bobby Unser Jr., died the following month at age 65, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
Castroneves and Takuma Sato, who won the Indy 500 twice, took to social media overnight to pay tribute to Al Unser.
“RIP AL SR … you will b missed!” Castroneves captioned an Instagram post.
“Rest In Peace an incredible three time @IndyCar champion and four time #INDY500 winner Al Unser,” Sato tweeted. “It was my absolute honor to attend his baby @BorgTrophy ceremony. His speech was very funny and so charming. Huge respect. My deepest condolences to his family.”
Rest In Peace an incredible three time @IndyCar champion and four time #INDY500 winner Al Unser. It was my absolute honor to attend his baby @BorgTrophy ceremony. His speech was very funny and so charming. Huge respect. My deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/hGwXWx3dcI
— Takuma Sato (@TakumaSatoRacer) December 10, 2021
In addition to his wife, Unser is survived by his son, two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr., the AP reported. Two daughters, Mary and Deborah, preceded him in death.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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