Al Unser...............

[CIRF]

The grim reaper has taken one of the truly great ones. Al Unser passed away yesterday (Dec. 9th) at the age of 82. The stories I've read and heard of Mr. Unser's days driving the Johnny Lightning Championship Dirt Car and the Viceroy Champ Car are legendary. Al was the 2nd 4 time winner of the Indy 500.

Mr. Unser is the last true National Driving Champion. 1970 was the last season that to be the National Champion the drivers had to race on both the asphalt and the 1 mile dirt tracks as well as the Indy 500. Al Unser was the 1970 National Champion. In 1971 USAC separated the dirt cars from the rear engine asphalt cars.

Mr. Unser is the only driver to win both the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car race and the USAC Stock Car race during the same weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Mile. That was back in August of 1972.

Mr. Unser's tenure as a driver was before my time but looking back at his accomplishments they were right up there with the best that ever held a wheel!

Gurney and Al among some others have already passed and we're going to be losing many more of the true legendary drivers in the next few years and it's very sad.

RIP Mr. Unser.