Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bobby Unser
How Bobby Unser built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Bobby Unser, an American auto racer, secured his place in motorsports history with 35 IndyCar Series wins, ranking fourth-most at the time of his 1994 Motorsports Hall of Fame induction. He clinched the USAC national championships in 1968 and 1974. Notably, Unser dominated the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, claiming the overall title a remarkable 10 times.
1949: Start of Racing Career
In 1949, Bobby Unser began his racing career in a Modified at Roswell Speedway.
1950: First Championship Win
In 1950, at the age of 15, Bobby Unser won his first championship in Southwest Modified Stock Cars, marking an early achievement in his career.
1955: End of Air Force Service and Racing Pursuit
In 1955, Bobby Unser concluded his service in the United States Air Force and, along with his brothers Jerry and Al Unser, decided to pursue racing careers in USAC.
1955: Pikes Peak Debut
In 1955, Bobby Unser debuted at Pikes Peak, finishing fifth behind his brothers.
1955: USAC Career Pursuit with Brothers
In 1955, Bobby, Jerry, and Al Unser decided to pursue racing careers in USAC, marking a significant step in their professional lives.
1958: First Pikes Peak Championship
In 1958, Bobby Unser secured his first championship at Pikes Peak, initiating a dominant streak.
1962: IndyCar Debut
In 1962, Bobby Unser made his IndyCar debut, excluding the Pikes Peak races from the 1950s which were part of the IndyCar season.
1963: Sports Car Class Win at Pikes Peak
In 1963, Bobby Unser achieved a sports car class win at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
1963: First Indianapolis 500 Race
In 1963, Bobby Unser participated in his first Indianapolis 500, resulting in a crash and a 33rd place finish.
1963: Sixth Consecutive Pikes Peak Title
In 1963, Bobby Unser won his sixth consecutive Pikes Peak title, continuing his streak of dominance.
1964: Indianapolis 500 Crash
In 1964, Bobby Unser's second Indianapolis 500 ended early on the second lap due to a crash that resulted in the deaths of Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald.
1964: Streak Ended by Al Unser
In 1964, Bobby Unser's streak at Pikes Peak was ended when his younger brother, Al Unser, won the race.
1965: Racing for Andy Granatelli Ends
In 1965, Bobby Unser's time racing for Andy Granatelli with a Novi engine came to an end.
1966: Move to Bob Willke's IndyCar
In 1966, Bobby Unser moved to an IndyCar owned by Bob Willke, where he would race until 1970.
1967: First IndyCar Win at Mosport
In 1967, Bobby Unser achieved his first IndyCar win at Mosport, in Ontario, marking a significant milestone in his career.
1968: USAC National Championship Win
In 1968, Bobby Unser secured his first USAC National Championship, marking a significant achievement in his racing career.
1968: First Indianapolis 500 Win
In 1968, Bobby Unser won his first Indianapolis 500, becoming the first driver to race over 170 miles per hour at Indianapolis.
1968: Indianapolis 500 Victory and USAC Championship
In 1968, Bobby Unser won the Indianapolis 500 and his first USAC National Driving Championship, with wins at various raceways.
1969: Stock Car Class Victory at Pikes Peak
In 1969, Bobby Unser achieved a stock car class victory at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
1970: End of time with Bob Willke's IndyCar
In 1970, Bobby Unser ended his time racing with IndyCar owned by Bob Willke.
1971: Development of Gurney Flap
In 1971, Bobby Unser challenged Dan Gurney to improve the performance of his USAC car, leading to the development of the Gurney flap.
1972: Joins All American Racers Team
In 1972, Bobby Unser began working for Dan Gurney's All American Racers team, setting an Indianapolis 500 record for fastest qualifying time.
1974: Second Stock Car Class Victory at Pikes Peak
In 1974, Bobby Unser secured his second stock car class victory at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
1974: Second USAC National Championship
In 1974, Bobby Unser won his second USAC National Championship, further cementing his status as a top racer.
1975: Second Indianapolis 500 Win
In 1975, Bobby Unser secured his second Indianapolis 500 victory in a race that was shortened due to rain.
1975: International Race of Champions (IROC) Champion
In 1975, Bobby Unser was crowned the International Race of Champions (IROC) champion.
1976: Wins with Fletcher Racing Team
In 1976, Bobby Unser secured two wins as part of the Fletcher Racing Team.
1979: Departure from Gurney's Team
In 1979, Bobby Unser concluded his time with Dan Gurney's All American Racers team.
1979: Joins Team Penske
In 1979, Bobby Unser joined Team Penske in the CART series, alongside Rick Mears.
1980: First Four-Time California 500 Winner
In 1980, Bobby Unser became the first driver to win the California 500 four times and finished second in the season championship.
October 1981: Re-Awarded 1981 Indianapolis 500 Win
In October 1981, Bobby Unser was re-awarded the 1981 Indianapolis 500 win after a five-month lawsuit and protest, with a fine of $40,000 for an infraction during the race. Unser retired during off-season testing for Pat Patrick at Phoenix.
1981: Third Indianapolis 500 Win
In 1981, Bobby Unser won his third Indianapolis 500, marking his achievement of winning the race in three different decades.
1981: Indianapolis 500 Controversy
In 1981, Bobby Unser won the pole and led the most laps at Indianapolis 500, but the race finish became one of the most controversial in Indy 500 history.
1981: Controversial Indianapolis 500 Win and Career End
In 1981, Bobby Unser's career ended after a controversial win at Indianapolis.
1985: Announcing Al Unser's CART Championship
In 1985, Bobby Unser was announcing Al Unser's CART championship.
1986: NASCAR Broadcasting Career Begins
In 1986, Bobby Unser began broadcasting several NASCAR events alongside Paul Page and Benny Parsons.
1986: Analyst for IMS Radio Network
In 1986, Bobby Unser worked as the analyst for the IMS Radio Network.
1986: Tenth Pikes Peak Win
In 1986, after a 12-year absence, Bobby Unser won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the tenth time, driving an Audi Quattro and breaking Michele Mouton's time by 16 seconds.
1987: Announcing Al Unser's Fourth Indy 500 Victory
In 1987, Bobby Unser was in the booth announcing his brother Al's record-tying fourth Indy 500 victory.
1989: Broadcasting "The Winston" Race
In 1989, Bobby Unser broadcast "The Winston" race, famously noting the post-race fight between Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip's pit crews.
1989: Sports Emmy Award for Indianapolis 500 Telecast
In 1989, Bobby Unser received announcer honors when ABC's telecast of the Indianapolis 500 won the Sports Emmy Award for "Outstanding Live Sports Special".
1992: Calling Al Unser Jr.'s First Indy 500 Victory
In 1992, Bobby Unser called his nephew Al Jr.'s first Indy 500 victory.
1992: End of NASCAR Broadcasting Career
In 1992, Bobby Unser ended broadcasting several NASCAR events alongside Paul Page and Benny Parsons.
1993: Fast Masters Championship
In 1993, Bobby Unser secured the Fast Masters championship, adding another title to his racing career.
1993: Bonneville Salt Flats Record
In 1993, Bobby Unser set a new Bonneville Salt Flats record at Bonneville Speedway of 223.709 in a D/Gas Modified Roadster that stood for 18 years.
1994: Calling Al Unser Jr.'s Second Indy 500 Victory
In 1994, Bobby Unser called his nephew Al Jr.'s second Indy 500 victory.
1998: Coaching Robby Unser
In 1998, Bobby Unser coached Robby Unser for the Indianapolis 500.
1999: Coaching Robby Unser
In 1999, Bobby Unser coached Robby Unser for the Indianapolis 500.
2008: Unser's Reflections on Indianapolis
In 2008, Bobby Unser reflected on his initial doubts about racing at Indianapolis, acknowledging the pivotal role Parnelli Jones played in securing him a ride.
