1989 Indianapolis 500 (Al Unser Jr. vs. Emerson Fittipaldi)

Lore & Background

Unser was the center of one of the most controversial finishes in Indy 500 history at the 1981 Indianapolis 500. He won the pole and led the most laps. On lap 149, during a caution period, Unser passed eight cars while Mario Andretti passed two. Unser won the race by 5.18 seconds but was stripped of it the following morning in favor of Andretti. After a five-month lawsuit and protest by Penske, Unser was re-awarded the win in October 1981. For his infraction, Unser was fined $40,000.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the crowd faded into a single, high-pitched whine as Al Unser Jr. swept through Turn 4, the checkered flag just a mile away. His hands were steady on the wheel, the Lola's Cosworth engine singing its final song. Behind him, Emerson Fittipaldi's Penske was a silver blur, closing the gap with each heartbeat. Unser Jr. knew the Brazilian would try something—he always did. As they crossed the start-finish line for the last time, Fittipaldi dove low, his car sliding sideways, sparks flying from the underframe. Unser Jr. held his line, but the Penske was there, inch by inch, until they were side by side, the wall rushing closer. Then, a touch—a gentle nudge—and Unser Jr.'s car wiggled, losing momentum. Fittipaldi shot ahead, the checkered flag his, and the crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and boos. In the aftermath, Unser Jr. would call it 'a dirty move,' while Fittipaldi shrugged, saying, 'Racing is racing.' The debate still simmers.

Reader's Guide

Unser made his IndyCar debut in 1962. He raced for Andy Granatelli between 1963 and 1965, then for Bob Willke from 1966 to 1970. His first IndyCar win came in 1967 at Mosport. In 1972 he started working for Dan Gurney's All American Racers team. From 1979 to 1981 he raced for Team Penske. He retired during off-season testing for Pat Patrick at Phoenix.

Did You Know?

• Unser won the 1968 and 1974 USAC national championships.
• He won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb overall title 10 times (13 times when class wins are included).
• Unser was the 1975 International Race of Champions (IROC) champion.
• He set a Bonneville Salt Flats record of 223.709 mph in 1993 that stood for 18 years.
• Unser was a television broadcaster for 20 years after retirement, working for NBC, ABC, and ESPN.