| Birth name | Jeremy Michael Unser Jr. |
|---|---|
| Birth date | November 15, 1932 |
| Birth place | Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
| Death date | May 17, 1959 (aged 26) |
| Death place | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Titles | USAC Stock Car (1957) |
| Current series | AAA/USAC Stock Car |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1956–1958 |
| Championships | 1 |
| Best finish | 1st |
| Year | 1957 |
| Total champ races | 3 |
|---|---|
| Years in champ | 3 |
| Best champ pos | 28th (1955) |
| First champ race | 1955 Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Pikes Peak) |
| Last champ race | 1959 Race of Champions (Trenton) |
| Champ wins | 0 |
| Champ podiums | 0 |
| Champ poles | 0 |
| Years | – |
|---|---|
| Teams | Kurtis Kraft, Kuzma |
| Races | 2 (1 start) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Points | 0 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First race | 1958 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.[2]
Jerry was the first of the Unser family to compete at Indianapolis.[3] 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.[4] He died in a practice crash before the 1959 Indianapolis 500, leaving behind a widow, Jeanne Unser, and two sons, Jerry and Johnny Unser.
Unser's 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.[3]
Death
On May 2, 1959, on the second day of practice for the 1959 Indianapolis 500, Unser lost control of his car coming out of turn 4 on a practice lap. The car hit the wall after spinning, then went end over end down the front straightaway, leaving behind a trail of parts. The car burst into flames as a result. Track officials estimated his speed just before the accident to be about 133 mph. He was conscious during his rescue, yelling "My legs are on fire. Call my wife." Before he could be pulled from the vehicle, the fire had to be put out. Unser was taken to Methodist Hospital with a broken neck and third degree burns over both legs and one arm. In critical condition, he suffered burns over 35 percent of his body, and was in a coma. Unser died from his injuries and pneumonia two weeks later on May 17, 1959. Following the accident, it became mandatory for drivers to wear fire-resistant driving suits. Most drivers already wore the suits, but some drivers at the time wore t-shirts.[5][6][7]
Indianapolis 500 results
| Year | Car | Start | Qual | Rank | Finish | Laps | Led | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | 92 | 24 | 142.755 | 23 | 31 | 0 | 0 | Crash T3 |
| Totals | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Starts | 1 |
|---|---|
| Poles | 0 |
| Front row | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Top 5 | 0 |
| Top 10 | 0 |
| Retired | 1 |
World Championship career summary
The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Unser participated in one World Championship race but scored no World Championship points.
Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Kurtis Kraft | Offenhauser L4 | ARG | MON | NED | 500 31 | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | POR | ITA | MOR | NC | 0 |
| 1959 | Kuzma | Offenhauser L4 | MON | 500 DNQ | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | POR | ITA | USA | NC | 0 |
References
- ^ "Jerry Unser". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "1957 USAC Stock Car Championship". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ^ "Unser Family Created Unmatched Legacy of Speed, Success at Indy". Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ^ "The Chaotic 1958 Indianapolis 500". SPEED SPORT. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ^ "Driver Jerry Unser Dies of Crash Burns (May 18, 1959)". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Indy 500 deadly accidents, 1959, Jerry Unser". indymotorspeedway.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Unser Racing Museum - Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico". www.unserracingmuseum.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2017.