Jerry Unser Jr.

Race Car Driver

Birthday November 15, 1932

Birth Sign Scorpio

Birthplace Colorado

DEATH DATE May 17, 1959 (26)

#257743 Most Popular

About

Part of the legendary Unser racing family, he had a promising NASCAR career cut short by a deadly crash in a practice lap.

Before Fame

He learned how to drive in the Model A Ford his father bought, and by his teens, he gained a reputation as serious competitor.

Trivia

He was the first of the Unser family to start at the Indianapolis 500, where in his only race he was involved in a 13-car pileup and flew over a track wall, still somehow emerging unscathed.

Family Life

His son Johnny Unser followed him into car racing, also competing in the Indy 500, and finishing in the top 20 in 1997.

Associated With

His brother Al Unser won the Indianapolis 500, as did his nephew, Al Unser, Jr.