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Robby Unser
Robby Unser
Robby Unser
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Robby Unser (born January 12, 1968) is an American former racing driver. Unser won the 1989 American Indycar Series championship, and was nine-time winner of the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.[1] He raced in the Indy Racing League, and was the IRL rookie of the year in 1998.[2] Unser made two starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of fifth in 1998. He also finished second twice in the 1998 season, his best IRL finish. His last IRL start came in 2000, his 21st IRL race.[3]

Unser made his drifting debut in the 2007 Formula D season driving for Enjuku Racing. The team had its first win in Denver on June 29, 2007.[citation needed]

From 2014 to 2015, Unser was heading the "Team Speedway Racing Team" of Speedway Motors of Lincoln, Nebraska in a seventeen-event Goodguys AutoCross series.[4]

Unser is the son of Bobby Unser, nephew of Al Unser Sr., and cousin of both Al Unser Jr.[5] and Johnny Unser.

Racing record

[edit]

American open–wheel racing results

[edit]

(key)

CART

[edit]
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rank Points
1989 Hemelgarn Racing Lola T89/00 Judd AV V8t PHX LBH INDY MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MIS POC MDO ROA NZR LS
DNQ 		NC –

Indy Lights

[edit]
Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Rank Points
1996 PacWest Lights MIA
13 		LBH
15 		NAZ
14 		MIS
4 		MIL
10 		DET
10 		POR
15 		CLE TOR
10 		TRO
9 		VAN
14 		LS
20 		15th 25
1997 PacWest Lights MIA
8 		LBH
7 		NAZ
10 		SAV
22 		STL
7 		MIL
6 		DET
12 		POR
14 		TOR
7 		TRO
19 		VAN
21 		LS
22 		FON
16 		15th 35

Indy Racing League

[edit]
Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Rank Points Ref
1998 Team Cheever G-Force GF01B 52 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 WDW PHX INDY
5 		TXS
9 		DOV
11 		CLT PPIR
12 		ATL
16 		TX2
2 		LVS
16 		16th 176 [6]
Dallara IR8 NHM
11
1999 Team Pelfrey Dallara IR9 81 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 WDW
15 		PHX
26 		CLT
C 		INDY
8 		TXS
6 		PPIR
6 		ATL
2 		DOV
12 		PPI2
9 		LVS
16 		TX2
14 		10th 209 [7]
2000 Tri-Star Motorsports Dallara IR-00 9 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 WDW
24 		PHX LVS 34th 19 [8]
Byrd-McCormack Motorsports Riley & Scott Mk V 30 INDY
DNQ
 		TXS
26 		PPIR
21 		ATL KTY TX2

Indianapolis 500

[edit]
Year Chassis Engine Start Finish
1998 G-Force GF01B Oldsmobile Aurora V8 21 5
1999 Dallara IR9 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 17 8
2000 Riley & Scott Mk V Oldsmobile Aurora V8 DNQ

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Robby Unser

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robby Unser is an American racing driver known for his versatility across multiple motorsport disciplines and his status as a member of the renowned Unser racing family. The son of three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, he has competed prominently in open-wheel racing, hillclimbs, and other formats, achieving notable success in the Indy Racing League (IRL) and at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Unser began racing in karts at a young age and progressed through various series, including a dominant 1989 campaign in the American IndyCar Series where he secured the championship. He entered the IRL as a rookie in 1998 with Team Cheever, earning Rookie of the Year honors that season with a fifth-place finish in his Indianapolis 500 debut and a second-place result at Texas Motor Speedway. He made two Indianapolis 500 starts overall and remained active in the series into 2000. A standout achievement came in hillclimb competition at Pikes Peak, where he claimed the overall victory in 1992 along with several class wins during the late 1980s and mid-1990s, continuing the Unser family's historic association with the event. Beyond open-wheel and hillclimb racing, Unser has competed in sprint cars, midgets, sports cars, rally, and drifting, demonstrating broad adaptability throughout his career. He has participated in vintage and historic events in later years while staying involved in motorsport through testing, team management, and other activities.

Early life

Birth and family background

Robby Unser was born on January 12, 1968, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. He is the son of Bobby Unser, a three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. As part of the prominent Unser racing family, Robby Unser is the nephew of Al Unser Sr., who secured four Indianapolis 500 victories. He is a cousin to Al Unser Jr. and Johnny Unser, both of whom became professional racing drivers. The Unser family holds a storied legacy in American motorsport, with multiple generations achieving success in open-wheel racing.

Introduction to motorsport

Robby Unser was born on January 12, 1968, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into the prominent Unser racing family. As the son of Bobby Unser and nephew of Al Unser, he grew up surrounded by the motorsport culture that defined his relatives' careers. Unser began his own involvement in racing at a young age through karting in 1975, when he was seven years old. This early participation reflected the family-related racing activities common in New Mexico's local motorsport scene, where the Unser name had long been associated with competitive driving. Following his start in karts, he competed in a variety of events that built his foundational experience in the sport. By 1985, Unser transitioned to junior open-wheel formulae, marking his shift toward more structured and competitive open-wheel racing disciplines. These early steps established his progression from family-influenced beginnings to dedicated competitive involvement in the years leading up to 1989.

Racing career

Early competitions and 1989 championship

Robby Unser entered open-wheel competition in the Valvoline Machinists Union American IndyCar Series in 1988, competing part-time and finishing fourth in the championship standings with one victory at Mountain View Motorsports Park and four podium finishes across six races. In 1989, driving a Lola-Chevrolet, he dominated the renamed Machinists Union American IndyCar Series by winning 12 of the 13 races, achieving 12 podiums and four pole positions to claim the championship title. That same year, Unser made an unsuccessful attempt to enter the CART Indy Car World Series, failing to qualify for the season-opening race at Laguna Seca with Hemelgarn Racing.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb dominance

Robby Unser established significant dominance at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, securing nine wins (including four overall) across various categories throughout his participation in the event. His repeated successes highlight his skill on the challenging 12.42-mile gravel and paved course to the summit of Pikes Peak. He achieved overall victories in several key years, including in the Unlimited Division in 1989 aboard a Peugeot 405 Turbo 16 with a time of 10:48.340 seconds, where he outpaced former World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen, who took second after spinning and damaging his suspension. In that victory, Unser forced the pace that contributed to Vatanen's error. Unser added overall wins in the Open Wheel division in 1990 (Unser Chevy, time 11:32.860) and 1992 (Unser Bros. Chevrolet, time 10:53.870). His successes continued into 2004, when he shared the co-King of the Mountain honors (overall) in the Pikes Peak Open division driving a Subaru Impreza STI (time 11:47.280), reflecting his ongoing competitiveness even as the course underwent changes. These accomplishments cemented Unser's reputation as one of the most accomplished drivers in the race's long history.

Indy Racing League entry and Rookie of the Year

Robby Unser made his entry into the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 1998, competing in the series through the 2000 season and accumulating a total of 21 starts across those years. His transition from other racing disciplines to the IRL showcased his adaptability to open-wheel competition at a high level. In his debut 1998 season with Team Cheever, Unser was named the Indy Racing League Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies with 176 points scored in eight races, earning a $50,000 bonus and recognition at the league's banquet awards. This standout performance marked his strongest season in the IRL, highlighted by two second-place finishes that demonstrated his competitive pace against established drivers. Unser's 1998 campaign stood out as his most successful in the series, with consistent results contributing to a 16th-place finish in the points standings despite running a partial schedule. Subsequent seasons in 1999 and 2000 saw more limited participation and fewer highlights, underscoring 1998 as the peak of his IRL tenure.

Indianapolis 500 participation

Robby Unser participated in the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1998 and 1999, during his Indy Racing League career. In 1998, driving the No. 52 Dallara-Oldsmobile for Team Cheever, he started 21st and finished 5th after completing 198 laps, marking his best result and only top-five finish at the event. The following year, in the No. 81 Dallara-Oldsmobile fielded by Team Pelfrey, he started 17th and finished 8th, running 197 laps to secure a top-10 result. Unser attempted to qualify for the 2000 Indianapolis 500 in the No. 30 entry for Byrd-McCormack Motorsports but failed to qualify for the race.

Later motorsport activities

Indy Lights and other series

Robby Unser competed in the Indy Lights series during the 1996 and 1997 seasons, driving for the PacWest Lights team. In 1996, he contested 11 races with a Lola T93/20 chassis powered by Buick, accumulating 25 points to finish 15th in the championship standings. The following year, he raced a Lola T97/20 Buick in 12 events, earning one pole position, 35 points, and a 14th-place position overall. Among his performances, he recorded a fourth-place finish at Michigan International Speedway. Detailed individual race-by-race accounts and additional achievements from these seasons remain limited in available sources. This period in Indy Lights served as preparation for his subsequent entry into the Indy Racing League in 1998, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors.

Drifting and Formula D

Robby Unser made his drifting debut in the 2007 Formula D season driving for Enjuku Racing. His involvement in drifting represented a brief transition from his established open-wheel and hill climb racing background, with no extended professional drifting career following the 2007 season.

AutoCross and team leadership

From 2014 to 2015, Robby Unser headed the Team Speedway Racing Team of Speedway Motors of Lincoln, Nebraska, in the Goodguys AutoCross series, which featured a seventeen-event schedule. In this leadership role, he guided the team's entry into competitive autocross, leveraging Speedway Motors' G-Comp suspension components to field competitive vehicles and promote the brand's performance parts through racing. His involvement began with the team's debut at the Goodguys Lone Star Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, where Unser piloted a prepared '65 Nova equipped with G-Comp front suspension and other Speedway-sourced parts to demonstrate real-world testing and capabilities. Unser continued racing for Team Speedway in the Pro Class during the 2015 season, including at events such as the Goodguys Southeastern Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway, building on his prior hillclimb and open-wheel experience to adapt to the technical demands of autocross competition. He remained active in the series beyond 2015, leading points standings into the 2016 season finale and earning the Goodguys FAST AutoCrosser of the Year award in 2017. This period marked a key phase in his later motorsport activities, shifting focus to team-oriented efforts in grassroots performance driving while testing and refining aftermarket parts for broader enthusiast use.

Media appearances

Television programs

Robby Unser has appeared as himself in several television programs, primarily in motorsport-related series where he was credited in his capacity as a racing driver. He made his earliest known television appearance on The Power and the Glory in 1991, appearing as Self in one episode. In 1998–1999, Unser featured in two episodes of ABC Sports, credited as Self – Driver. More recently, he appeared as Self in one episode of Legendary Motorcar in 2017. These credits reflect occasional media spots tied to his racing career rather than recurring roles.

Documentaries

Robby Unser appeared in the documentary Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story (2020), credited as Self – Professional Driver. The film, directed by Nate Adams and Adam Carolla, chronicles the life and career of pioneering Black auto racer Willy T. Ribbs, who faced significant racism and barriers while becoming the first African American driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and win in the Trans Am series. Unser's role provides commentary from the perspective of a professional driver familiar with the racing world Ribbs navigated.

Personal life

Family relationships

Robby Unser is the son of Bobby Unser, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner. He is the nephew of Al Unser Sr. and Jerry Unser, brothers of his father Bobby, both of whom also competed in the Indianapolis 500. As a result of these connections, Robby Unser is a first cousin to Al Unser Jr., the son of Al Unser Sr., and to Johnny Unser, the son of Jerry Unser. These relationships situate him within the extended Unser family, known for its extensive involvement in Indianapolis 500 competition across generations.

Post-racing involvement

After his leadership of the Team Speedway Racing Team in the Goodguys AutoCross series concluded in 2015, Robby Unser maintained a connection to motorsports through his ongoing relationship with Speedway Motors and Team Speedway, where he has served as a test driver and competitor focusing on G-Comp suspension products and performance evaluations in autocross and road course settings. He earned the Goodguys AutoCrosser of the Year award in 2017 while racing for the team. Unser continued as an active driver for Team Speedway into the early 2020s, including piloting a sponsored '70 Camaro across various events such as Goodguys competitions, road challenges, and other motorsport gatherings during the 2022 season. Publicly available information on his activities after 2022 remains limited in reputable sources.

Legacy in the Unser family

Robby Unser is a member of the renowned Unser racing family, continuing a multi-generational tradition of success in American motorsport that spans open-wheel racing and hillclimb events. As the son of three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, nephew of four-time winner Al Unser Sr., and cousin of two-time winner Al Unser Jr., Robby contributed to the family's legacy through his own achievements across IndyCar-related series and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. His most prominent contributions came at Pikes Peak, where he secured nine victories in total, including four overall wins in 1989 (Peugeot 405 Turbo 16), 1990 (Unser Chevy), 1992 (Unser Bros Chevrolet), and 2004 (Subaru Impreza STI), along with five class wins in Super Stock, Truck, and Open Wheel categories. These accomplishments reinforced the Unser family's historic dominance at the event, which totals 24 victories across generations. Robby also added to the family's presence in open-wheel racing with his 1998 Indy Racing League Rookie of the Year honor and a fifth-place finish in the 1998 Indianapolis 500, marking a solid but less celebrated entry compared to his relatives' nine combined Indianapolis 500 victories. While his record reflects the family's enduring impact in diverse series, it remains more aligned with hillclimb excellence than the oval-track triumphs that define much of the Unser dynasty's mainstream recognition.

References

  1. https://www.indycar.com/news/2017/06/06-17-unsers-svra
  2. https://www.oldracingcars.com/driver/Robby_Unser
  3. https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/robby-unser
  4. https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-robby-unser-has-eyes-on-big-prize-at-season-opener/1734224/
  5. https://www.snaplap.net/driver/robby-unser/
  6. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-13-sp-4726-story.html
  7. https://ppihc.org/quicklinks/kings-of-the-mountain/
  8. https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/unserro01/1998/O/
  9. https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/unserro01/1999/O/
  10. https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/unserro01/2000/O/
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081158/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=23063&FS=INDYCAR
  12. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/driver-stats/drivers/robby-unser
  13. https://svra.com/heroes-and-friends/indy-car/
  14. https://news.konigwheels.com/blog/top-10-most-forgotten-about-formula-drift-drivers/
  15. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/featured/gcomp
  16. https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/blogs/robby-unser-will-drive-speedway-motors-65-nova
  17. https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/media/news/robby-unser-race-autocross-goodguys-southeastern-nationals.html
  18. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/a-day-at-the-track-robby-unser-wins-goodguys-autocrosser-of-the-year/29321
  19. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/indy-pikes-peak-and-team-speedway-robby-unsers-life-of-racing-episode-6/30959
  20. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8065186/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5862338/fullcredits/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5862338/
  23. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1126729_uppity-documentary-examines-willy-t-ribbs-struggle-to-race-in-the-us
  24. https://chassy.com/shop/uppity-the-willy-t-ribbs-story/
  25. https://www.amazon.com/Uppity-Willy-T-Ribbs-Story/dp/B08FM5BSF5
  26. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-25-sp-53401-story.html
  27. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2020/04/30/unser-family-legacy-unmatched-at-indy-500
  28. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/family-participation
  29. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/team-speedway-announces-2022-competition-schedule/31652
  30. https://www.autohebdof1.com/news/other-races/hill-racing/the-unser-this-family-which-has-a-total-of-24-victories-at-Pikes-Peak.html
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