Indy 500 legend Al Unser dies aged 82

Four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser has died at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

The most rewarded member of the Unser racing dynasty prevailed at the Brickyard in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987, but Big Al was also a three-time champion in IndyCar racing.

"In the 112 years of racing that has taken place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Al Unser’s career stands out among the others," wrote track president Doug Boles, in a statement published on social media.

"Al achieved his successes competing against many of the best our sport has ever seen, which makes his accomplishments on the track even more impressive.

"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."

Unser was among a quartet of elite four-time winners at Indy that also includes A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Helio Castro Neves.

But Unser's final victory at the Brickyard made him at 47 the oldest winner in Indy 500 history.

Sadly, Al Unser Sr is the third member of one of America's most famed racing families to die in 2021.

His oldest brother, three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser, died in May, and Bobby Unser Jr. passed six weeks after his father.

The Unser family combined for a record nine wins in the Indy 500, with Bobby Unser winning the blue riband event three times and Al Jr winning "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" twice – in 1992 and 1994.

Coincidentally, Al Unser, Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser all won their final Indy 500s driving for Roger Penske.