The Unsers were all very smart racers. They don't beat their cars up throughout the race and they capitalized on other racers mistakes. This was one of the best 500s ever because of the circumstances of the finish, truly a great race.
Penske's 87 cars were junk and they knew it. The only one they had left was a show car that they literally pulled from a display at a car dealership and got the car race ready. That car is the one you see here, and is currently not on display at IMS Museum, but is instead in the basement there. It gets put on display on a rotating basis w/other cars.
Either this, or George Souders win in 1927, was the greatest upset in 500 history. Had Goodyear won from last starting place in 1992, that would've surpassed it, but as it stands, Unser, Sr. in '87 was the most "one-in-a-million" ever.
I'd say JR Hildebrand got within one turn of one-upping Al Sr as far as upsets go.
Helio Castroneves' win in 2002 also gets a mention as an upset because he hadn't been very competitive in that race, but stayed on the lead lap and was able to (barely) stretch his mileage to stay out front until the final yellow.
Heck this is probably one of the few 500's where older cars were popular because the 1986 Marches could handle the radial tires better than the 1987 Marches could.
@DFP1987
I'd say that up to about 1982 or so, year-old cars could be very competitive at Indy. The start of the "March era" (~1982) spelled the end of that.
Al Sr drove a great race but he would not have won without the problems of Andretti & Guerrero.
altroval 8 months ago
The Unsers were all very smart racers. They don't beat their cars up throughout the race and they capitalized on other racers mistakes. This was one of the best 500s ever because of the circumstances of the finish, truly a great race.
Breckenhick 2 years ago 3
Penske's 87 cars were junk and they knew it. The only one they had left was a show car that they literally pulled from a display at a car dealership and got the car race ready. That car is the one you see here, and is currently not on display at IMS Museum, but is instead in the basement there. It gets put on display on a rotating basis w/other cars.
indyracingnut 2 years ago
Either this, or George Souders win in 1927, was the greatest upset in 500 history. Had Goodyear won from last starting place in 1992, that would've surpassed it, but as it stands, Unser, Sr. in '87 was the most "one-in-a-million" ever.
VampireYoshi 3 years ago 8
@VampireYoshi
I'd say JR Hildebrand got within one turn of one-upping Al Sr as far as upsets go.
Helio Castroneves' win in 2002 also gets a mention as an upset because he hadn't been very competitive in that race, but stayed on the lead lap and was able to (barely) stretch his mileage to stay out front until the final yellow.
altroval 8 months ago
Great victory for Al Sr., and it was more amazing because this was in a year-old car...
DFP1987 3 years ago 4
The entire Penske team were in 86 Marches.
Heck this is probably one of the few 500's where older cars were popular because the 1986 Marches could handle the radial tires better than the 1987 Marches could.
AutoRacer5 3 years ago