'One of the top 5 racers who has ever lived': Reaction to the death of Al Unser Sr.
Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser Sr. died late Thursday evening in New Mexico after a 17-year battle with cancer. A brother to the late Bobby Unser and father to fellow racing legend Al Unser Jr., Al Unser Sr. was 82 years old.
People took to Twitter to remember the legendary driver:
More: Al Unser Sr., four-time Indy 500 champion, dies at 82
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 Jr (@alunserjr) December 10, 2021
Sad news from New Mexico as we learn that 4x Indy 500 winner Al Unser died peacefully in his beloved Chama home after a 17 year battle with Cancer. 4x 500 winner, most laps led (644) in history of 500, and fan favorite. Stay tuned to @IMS for updates & tributes. My thoughts: pic.twitter.com/45ZJmymSBd
— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) December 10, 2021
An icon and hero to racing fans around the world.
A history-making and beloved member of the #IMS family.
4-time #Indy500 winner Al Unser has passed away at age 82.
Godspeed, racer. pic.twitter.com/PnCm38MOZX— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) December 10, 2021
I feel loss & sadness at the passing of Al Unser. One of the top 5 racers who has ever lived - and the kindest, calmest, smartest, toughest, most fun, well-liked guy ever. Our most fun was on dirt; here he and I battled and laughed at DuQuoin Illinois- and then had a beer. RIP pic.twitter.com/BO4iRNjFDr
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) December 10, 2021
Statement from Roger Penske, who plugged super-sub Al Unser Sr. into the No. 25 March Cosworth in place of injured Danny Ongais mid-May in 1987 that helped deliver Unser his record-tying 4th Indy 500 victory, on the legend’s passing: pic.twitter.com/8NiPrXtkiz
— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) December 10, 2021
RIP AL SR…you will b missed!🥲
Descance em paz AL …vamos sentir sua falta. https://t.co/IXyfDyR8Dh— Helio Castroneves (@h3lio) December 10, 2021
This photo hits harder today ❤️🙏🏻 RIP Al, thoughts and prayers with his family during this difficult time! pic.twitter.com/NWEIiR2NCk
— Jack Harvey (@jack_harvey45) December 10, 2021
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
He was given has 'Baby Borg' in May and had a chance to celebrate one last time with the newly-expanded 4x Indy 500 winners club in July.
Glad Al Unser Sr. could celebrate & be celebrated at @IMS in-person one last time. https://t.co/VNn0Nd8DDy— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) December 10, 2021
Helio Castroneves has posted on Instagram that Al Unser Sr. has passed away. pic.twitter.com/hK8Tr2KhzT
— Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) December 10, 2021
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) December 10, 2021
My thoughts & condolences to Al Jr and the whole Unser family. Cancer strikes again. Beautiful tribute below by IMS. He certainly got the most out of life. That 4th win is quite the story. https://t.co/Japl6PryOO
— Ryan Hunter-Reay (@RyanHunterReay) December 10, 2021
A sad day for our sport. #Indy500 legend. 😢
Farewell Al Unser. Prayers and condolences to the Unser family. https://t.co/ljbs0zGJ6J— Devlin Defrancesco (@DevlinDeFran) December 10, 2021
Contact IndyStar Deputy Sports Editor Nat Newell at (317) 444-6182 or nat.newell@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NatJNewell.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Al Unser Sr.: Reaction to the death of the legendary Indy 500 driver
