Jerry Unser | |||||||
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Born | Jeremy Michael Unser Jr. November 15, 1932 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||
Died | May 17, 1959 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | (aged 26)||||||
Championship titles | |||||||
USAC Stock Car (1957) | |||||||
AAA/USAC Stock Car career | |||||||
Years active | 1956–1958 | ||||||
Championships | 1 | ||||||
Best finish | 1st in 1957 | ||||||
Champ Car career | |||||||
3 races run over 3 years | |||||||
Best finish | 28th (1955) | ||||||
First race | 1955 Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Pikes Peak) | ||||||
Last race | 1959 Race of Champions (Trenton) | ||||||
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Formula One World Championship career | |||||||
Active years | 1958–1959 | ||||||
Teams | Kurtis Kraft, Kuzma | ||||||
Entries | 2 (1 start) | ||||||
Championships | 0 | ||||||
Wins | 0 | ||||||
Podiums | 0 | ||||||
Career points | 0 | ||||||
Pole positions | 0 | ||||||
Fastest laps | 0 | ||||||
First entry | 1958 Indianapolis 500 | ||||||
Last entry | 1959 Indianapolis 500 |
Jeremy Michael Unser Jr.[1] (November 15, 1932 – May 17, 1959) was an American racecar driver. He was the 1957 USAC Stock Car champion.
Jerry was the first of the Unser family to compete at Indianapolis. In his only start, in 1958, he was caught up in a 13-car pileup on the first lap and flew over the turn three wall, emerging unhurt. He died in a practice crash before the 1959 Indianapolis 500, leaving behind a widow, Jeanne Unser, and two sons, Jerry and Johnny Unser.
His brothers Al and Bobby and his nephew Al Jr. have won the "500". His son Johnny and nephew Robby have also competed in the race.