Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser dies

Racing legend Bobby Unser has died.

He was 87.

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The race car driver died at his home Sunday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of natural causes, ESPN reported.

The Unser family is known for its racing championships, with Bobby Unser winning the Indianapolis 500 three times; in 1968, 1975 and 1981, one of 10 drivers to do so.

He won the 1981 race, beating Mario Andretti, but he was knocked to second place when race officials said he passed cars illegally. His win was reinstated months later, and it became his 35th and final victory of his career.

He was a member of multiple racing Halls of Fame, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, CNN reported.

His younger brother, Al Unser, won four times — in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987.

Al Unser’s son, Al Unser Jr. won the same race as his father and uncle in 1992 and 1994.

His older brother, Jerry Unser, died at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a crash during practice in 1959, CNN reported.

In all, six members of the Unser family raced in the Indianapolis 500.

Bobby Unser was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Feb. 20, 1934, but the family eventually moved to New Mexico, ESPN reported.

He and his brother grew up around cars when their father opened a garage along Route 66.

Bobby Unser began his racing career in 1949 at Roswell Speedway in New Mexico.

He also served his country with an enlistment in the Air Force from 1953 to 1955 before returning to racing full-time.

Bobby Unser leaves behind his wife Lisa; two sons, Bobby Jr. and Robby; and two daughters, Cindy and Jeri, CNN reported.

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