Who was Al Unser and what was his cause of death?
INDIANAPOLIS 500 winner, Al Unser, passed away on Thursday, December 9.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the news of his passing early morning on Friday, December 10.
How did Al Unser die?
Al Unser's wife, Susan, was by his side at their home in Chama, New Mexico at the time of his death.
Unser battled cancer for the last 17 years before succumbing to his illness on Thursday, December 9.
He was the father of three children, Al Unser Jr., Mary, and Deborah, and was preceded in death by the passing of his two daughters.
Al Unser Jr. posted on Twitter Friday morning and said, "My heart is so saddened. My father passed away last night.
"He was a Great man and even a Greater Father. Rest In Peace Dad!"
Al Unser Sr. was 82 years old at the time of his death.
Most read in Motorsport
What was Al Unser's racing record?
Unser held the title of only one of four racers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times and he retired in 1994 with a total of 39 won races.
His final Indianapolis 500 win placed him as the oldest driver to win the race at 47 years old. His four wins came in 1970, 1971, 1978, and 1987.
He made 27 starts on the Indianapolis 500 and won three Indy car national championships over the course of his career.
Unser came from one of the most celebrated families in racing alongside more than a dozen of his family members, including all three of his brothers.
Collectively, his family had nine Indy 500 wins and two were won by Unser's son, Al Unser Jr.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said in a statement on Friday, "Al's combination of his quiet and humble approach outside the car with his fierce competitive spirit and fearless talent behind the wheel made him a fan-favorite.
"He will be remembered as one of the best to ever race at Indianapolis, and we will all miss his smile, sense of humor and his warm, approachable personality.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with (his wife) Susan Unser, the entire Unser family, and all Al's friends and fans."
Did Al Unser race against his son?
Unser raced against his son in the 1985 CART championship and by pulling ahead and ultimately placing Al Unser Jr. in fourth place and denying him the title.
After the race, Unser said, “I’ve really got mixed emotions. I’d like to have seen Al win. Championships are hard to come by.”
“Still, I’m a racer and I have to race. I said yesterday, if he (Al Unser Jr.) wins it, he’s going to have to earn it.”
Years after the race, Unser told news sources, “I pulled alongside of him (Al Unser Jr.), I tried to tell him that I was sorry."
Al Unser's son went on to establish himself in the racing world, earning himself two Indy 500 wins.
The father-son duo earned the nickname Big Al and Little Al as they took the racing world by storm.
Read More on The US Sun
In an interview with the Associated Press, Racecar driver Helio Castroneves said, “I will always remember Big Al welcoming me to the speedway.
“He and Johnny Rutherford were the two helping me with my rookie orientation. He will be missed.”
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.
like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS