Welcome to our monthlong countdown celebrating notable drivers and cars from the history of the Indianapolis 500!
He started third, led 17 laps and finished third.
30 Days in
May: No. 21, Al Unser, 1977 American Racing Parnelli/Cosworth. 1977 was Al
Unser’s last year with the Vel’s Parnelli Jones team, an association that dated
back to 1969. (Unser missed Indianapolis that year after breaking a leg in a
motorcycle mishap in the Speedway infield, then returned to win the next two
500s.)
As the 1970s wore on, the team wasn't as dominant, then began a renaissance as development on the then-new Cosworth engine started to pay off.
In 1975, Unser and teammate Mario Andretti practiced in a new chassis built for the Cosworth before opting for the proven Eagle/Offy combination. In 1976, Unser put the first Cosworth in the 500 , starting fourth and ending up seventh in the rain-shortened race.
Unser remains the all-time lap leader in the 500 at 644, a record that could be in jeopardy this year. Scott Dixon is third at 570 – 74 behind - so it’s definitely within reach.
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