Have heard and read several interviews with Bobby Unser over the last 25 years. I don't think people give him enough credit for his technical/ engineering prowess.
And that is why he was such a great analyst for ABC Sports, both for IndyCar racing and NASCAR (and ABC should have had him for the first couple of Brickyard 400s, if for no other reason than his knowledge of the track). And I do think he was underrated on the few NASCAR races he did for ABC Sports, because while everyone remembers that he and Sam Posey didn't seem to get along in the booth together, he and Benny Parsons did seem to mesh really well as a team on the few NASCAR races they did from 1989-'92 and IROC in 1996.
@@daviclar867 That was certainly part of it, but I think another part of it was that Sam Posey didn't know all that much about what he was talking about when they were paired together on ABC's IndyCar broadcasts, and that really came to light the one time they were paired together for a 500-mile NASCAR race, which was the 1989 spring race at Atlanta. When he got paired with Benny for the few NASCAR races they did together, Bobby seemed a bit more relaxed, knowing he was paired with someone who actually knew what he was talking about.
What fun. I was at a trade show several years ago where Bobby was being paid to appear and sign. I introduced myself as a low-level club FF racer and Bobby said something like, "Thank God, somebody I can talk to!". We had a great time telling stories - mostly me listening. And, we were drinking too. Fun memory.
This appears to be after an IMS Museum "Evening with Bobby Unser". My son and I were in attendance and it was truly fascinating... his technical knowledge is 100% ... and he was entirely candid, detailing his exploits all over the racing world. It was a helluva evening.
I don't think I can ever express how much I love hearing Bobby's stories!! If he had a RUclips channel, I'd watch every single video he posted 😄😄 Thanks Robin and Marshall for making sure we get to hear these!
What an interview! WOW! I met Uncle Bobby a year ago and he'll talk about these cars all day long with you and its so damned fascinating getting such information from the man himself. Clearly, he knew exactly what he was doing with those cars. He is a triple threat in that he is an outstanding race car driver, mechanic and natural born engineer all in one. Very similar to Foyt!
I was just a kid ... not even a teenager.... I could tell you everything you wanted to know about Bobby Unser .... my all time favorite.... a long second was Foyt. Don’t know why but he was
"Uncle Bobby" KNOWS his stuff on the Indy cars he drove! Of my top five all-time favorite Indy cars, Bobby's '75 model is rated in that group. (Colin Chapman's group has claim to # 1 for my top five favorite: the Lotus # 38 1965 model) I saw at the Atlanta racetrack the 1981 model on the move. It was a beauty...still is. Sad to see Bobby in a wheel chair...but that doesn't slow his enthusiasm down.
Very sorry to hear about Bobby's passing!!! Always loved ALL of the Unser's with Al Jr. being my favorite during the years when we were buying Indy 500 tickets every year and "little Al" was competing with Michael while racing for Rick Galles. Used to subscribe to the Star for the month of May also during that time and read "The best Stooge" all the time. ;o) Robin, you may recall someone suggesting a journalism team follow a IndyCar team through a season to create a documentary series to be shown the following year. You responded asking if I wanted to fund the operation?? Of course, I had the idea but not the capitol!! Always a pleasure Robin. Thank you
What a priceless interview between two great personalities that unfortunately are no longer with us. I saw Bobby Unser race for the first time at the old Trenton Speedway in New Jersey. He had a twin engine Aerostar airplane that he would fly to the races himself. I would see it parked at Trenton-Robbinsville airport on race weekends. It had “Bobby Unser Industries” painted on the tail. In keeping with Bobby always being “fast”, the Aerostar was the fastest twin engined piston aircraft available back in the late 1970’s. RIP Bobby and Robin.
ABSOLUTELY. GODDAMN. AWESOME! I could listen to Uncle Bobby all day. Keep up the good work, Robin and I'm glad you're healthy and back in action with us. :-)
Yes I agree I didn't know Bobby was so on top of the technical stuff but when ever I heard him talk over my 45 years of being a fan ,you know he know what he's doin,and is probably good at poker....hah hah ha...you know.....that's old school....yeah buddy...thanks.
That was great, one of the best racer interviews I have heard and I have heard plenty. Did not know Bobby was so involved in the development, new found respect for him.
My dad was a machinist at Drake engineering where they made the Offenhauser. Dan Gurney racing was in the same area there in Santa Ana. My dad saw Bobby at Drake numerous times during those years.
Bobby Unser is my fav. Indy driver and I love the Gurney Eagles. #48 baby blue. I watched it run at Indy 1975,I was in the 6th. Grade.went in under the fence by the creek.
Bobby's winning move in 1981 was jumping all the caution cars. Mario won that race. He started last having to have someone qualify the car as he was in Europe doing F1. Bobby was on the pole.
No Dirty Air there! One of Bobby's famous Quotes from his commentating days! Miss those days, Maw Unser Bobby & Al's Mom use to make her Famous Chili, Enough for all of Gasoline Ally
wow! The Unser family won 9 Indy500s in 27 years from 1968 to 1994 I feel so sad that Bobby is in a wheel chair but I am glad to see he is still with us.
Given today's technology, I am so amazed at how these guys built, setup and drove those cars. Some of the craziest and bravest people ever. 1100 HP!! WTH? I could listen to Bobby forever.
15:37 - 15:46 Good people but it was nice to we could build a car that would beat the Bri..Mclaren . 🤣 As a Brit, this was my favourite part. Love ya Mr Unser!!
Bobby isn't blowing smoke about that 75 eagle. He had the exact same car in 74 and that eagle had nothing for Foyt's Coyote or Rutherford's M-16 McLaren. Unser took second but was never really a factor. In 75 he came back and put it on the outside of the front row. No one paid any attention to the fact he had improved qualifying average from 185 in 1974 to 191 in 1975. During first half of 75 race he laid back and hid out, conserving fuel. Then, all of sudden he was going like hell. He blew past Rutherford in turn 3 and was fast moving on Foyt and as I recall, AJ then ran out of fuel? I always wonder if Foyt's crew warned him about Unser and this pushed AJ into a mistake? Wally Dallenbach though, was way out in front and looking uncatchable. He eventually burned a piston only 12 laps before rain came. I wonder if Bobby would also, have run down Dallenbach? If we asked him I'm sure Bobby would laugh and say "oh for sure I could have." No sweat man!"
Absolutely beautiful race cars. Uncle Bobby sure did have some tricks but as I think back on him, one of his best hat tricks might actually have been in 1977. Brand new Penske McLaren Cosworth's were the rage and early on, Sneva broke the 200 barrier in one. All the other Cosworth's including Foyt's V-8 seemed stuck at 193-195. It was towards the end of qualifying and everyone figured the pole was Sneva's to keep. But that was until Uncle Bobby rolled out in a Lightning Offy that had a horrible turquoise paint job. It was a year old chassis and it was a decent car but it couldn't compete with the V-8s. Uncle Bobby woke the huge crowd up and brought them to their feet. He damned near knocked Sneva from the pole and no open wheeler who was there had to wonder "how and why that old offy went that fast."
What? That’s all? I wanted to see the Johnny Lightening special blue with yellow lightening bolts! Bobby could talk for 3 months straight! Nice vid.robbin
Hey bobby ok what's he doing in wheel chair,bob u okay, last time I saw u was fine ,best health to ya,thanks guys...bobby is the best commentator he's knows so much and tells great story's with style,u alway learn something and leave laughing...thanks feel better.
It's too bad that Indy car racing is reduced to kit cars when the teams have enough talent and resources to build their own race care that would make for a much better show.
So, you'd be okay with a field of 14 cars, because only a couple of teams could afford to build their own while most of the other teams struggle just to put together a budget for a full season.
I've thought about that many times too, except the teams with the most money and resources would have a clear advantage. No team could compete with Penske.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
March 2022 both men are gone. Legends.
RIP Sir, you are a National Treasure. Thank you for all the memories. Godspeed.
It's so sad he and Al are gone! I grew up watching these guys. They were my heroes. AJ, Mario. Those 4 were the best in my book!
Have heard and read several interviews with Bobby Unser over the last 25 years. I don't think people give him enough credit for his technical/ engineering prowess.
And that is why he was such a great analyst for ABC Sports, both for IndyCar racing and NASCAR (and ABC should have had him for the first couple of Brickyard 400s, if for no other reason than his knowledge of the track). And I do think he was underrated on the few NASCAR races he did for ABC Sports, because while everyone remembers that he and Sam Posey didn't seem to get along in the booth together, he and Benny Parsons did seem to mesh really well as a team on the few NASCAR races they did from 1989-'92 and IROC in 1996.
HODIUSDUDE Amen
@@cjs83172 anybody could have gotten along with ole Benny.
@@daviclar867 That was certainly part of it, but I think another part of it was that Sam Posey didn't know all that much about what he was talking about when they were paired together on ABC's IndyCar broadcasts, and that really came to light the one time they were paired together for a 500-mile NASCAR race, which was the 1989 spring race at Atlanta. When he got paired with Benny for the few NASCAR races they did together, Bobby seemed a bit more relaxed, knowing he was paired with someone who actually knew what he was talking about.
What fun. I was at a trade show several years ago where Bobby was being paid to appear and sign. I introduced myself as a low-level club FF racer and Bobby said something like, "Thank God, somebody I can talk to!". We had a great time telling stories - mostly me listening. And, we were drinking too. Fun memory.
I met Al SR at the museum in Albq. and we talked about drivers we both knew in his sprint car days. My boss at the AMC dealer raced with Al Sr.
I've watched this about 6 times already... I just love this guy. Smart guy, great racer...has everything, what an amazing man. RIP legend ❤️
This appears to be after an IMS Museum "Evening with Bobby Unser".
My son and I were in attendance and it was truly fascinating... his technical knowledge is 100% ... and he was entirely candid, detailing his exploits all over the racing world.
It was a helluva evening.
I don't think I can ever express how much I love hearing Bobby's stories!! If he had a RUclips channel, I'd watch every single video he posted 😄😄
Thanks Robin and Marshall for making sure we get to hear these!
What an interview! WOW! I met Uncle Bobby a year ago and he'll talk about these cars all day long with you and its so damned fascinating getting such information from the man himself. Clearly, he knew exactly what he was doing with those cars. He is a triple threat in that he is an outstanding race car driver, mechanic and natural born engineer all in one. Very similar to Foyt!
Uncle bobby should be considered a national rreasure
@Finnley Sylas not really man
I was just a kid ... not even a teenager.... I could tell you everything you wanted to know about Bobby Unser .... my all time favorite.... a long second was Foyt. Don’t know why but he was
Top-notch video from start to finish. Wonderful descriptions by Bobby Unser about detail and process. Well guided by Robin Miller. Excellent!
"Uncle Bobby" KNOWS his stuff on the Indy cars he drove! Of my top five all-time favorite Indy cars, Bobby's '75 model is rated in that group. (Colin Chapman's group has claim to # 1 for my top five favorite: the Lotus # 38 1965 model)
I saw at the Atlanta racetrack the 1981 model on the move. It was a beauty...still is.
Sad to see Bobby in a wheel chair...but that doesn't slow his enthusiasm down.
It's probably a good thing he hasn't been able to stuff a motor under it... they'd never find him!! ;^)
Bobby was an absolute national treasure... Race In Peace Uncle Bobby
Very sorry to hear about Bobby's passing!!! Always loved ALL of the Unser's with Al Jr. being my favorite during the years when we were buying Indy 500 tickets every year and "little Al" was competing with Michael while racing for Rick Galles. Used to subscribe to the Star for the month of May also during that time and read "The best Stooge" all the time. ;o) Robin, you may recall someone suggesting a journalism team follow a IndyCar team through a season to create a documentary series to be shown the following year. You responded asking if I wanted to fund the operation?? Of course, I had the idea but not the capitol!! Always a pleasure Robin. Thank you
What a priceless interview between two great personalities that unfortunately are no longer with us. I saw Bobby Unser race for the first time at the old Trenton Speedway in New Jersey. He had a twin engine Aerostar airplane that he would fly to the races himself. I would see it parked at Trenton-Robbinsville airport on race weekends. It had “Bobby Unser Industries” painted on the tail. In keeping with Bobby always being “fast”, the Aerostar was the fastest twin engined piston aircraft available back in the late 1970’s. RIP Bobby and Robin.
Now that was a real lesson!
ABSOLUTELY.
GODDAMN.
AWESOME!
I could listen to Uncle Bobby all day.
Keep up the good work, Robin and I'm glad you're healthy and back in action with us. :-)
Same here
True legend.
Bobby Unser, 1981 Indianapolis 500 WINNER. No, ifs ands or buts about, Uncle Bobby had the best car in that race.
Bobby Unser. ………I can hear him talk all day. What a man and family of greats.
Thanks for the Great interview with Bobby Unser. I live in Albuquerque and have followed the Unser family racing for years.
I had the opportunity to meet Bobby at C. Wheeler Marine in Albuquerque, I think 1968. He was a real gentleman and I became a lifelong fan.
Wonderful history lesson with two of the best ever!🏁🏎️🏁
Yes I agree I didn't know Bobby was so on top of the technical stuff but when ever I heard him talk over my 45 years of being a fan ,you know he know what he's doin,and is probably good at poker....hah hah ha...you know.....that's old school....yeah buddy...thanks.
Wayne Leary . Bobby"s chief mechanic in 1975 was my neighbor in Speedway and he was a wonderful man, mechanic and storyteller. I sure miss him!!
Amazing insight on what made him so fast.
That was great, one of the best racer interviews I have heard and I have heard plenty. Did not know Bobby was so involved in the development, new found respect for him.
My dad was a machinist at Drake engineering where they made the Offenhauser. Dan Gurney racing was in the same area there in Santa Ana. My dad saw Bobby at Drake numerous times during those years.
Uncle Bobby is fun to listen to.
What a great video, by two great racers!
Bobby Unser should have been President !
Enjoyed all the years you raced at Indianapolis, three time winner RIP Bobby Unser.
Robin Miller was an encyclopedia of racing knowledge
So were George Bignotti and George Salih....the same guys built indy car racing.
Wonderful video ! Thanks Bobby, Robin and Marshall !
Bobby Unser is my fav. Indy driver and I love the Gurney Eagles. #48 baby blue. I watched it run at Indy 1975,I was in the 6th. Grade.went in under the fence by the creek.
Wow what a Legend!
His stories are amazing. Love Bobby forever ❤
This is so good. Thank you Robin, Bless you Bobby!
Bobby the man
OK. I'm hooked on Uncle Bobby interviews. Well done as always RM.
Bobby comes to life when he gets to tell his stories and keeps him going
With the Eagle/Offy, Uncle Bobby and Gurney were so fast in the mid 70's ... simply dominating at times.
Bobby's winning move in 1981 was jumping all the caution cars. Mario won that race. He started last having to have someone qualify the car as he was in Europe doing F1. Bobby was on the pole.
Having watched this and AJ back to back I doubt you could get more different people, yet they both achieved similar ends
Have been doing the same thing....watching AJ and now Bobby....just as you stated
Great interview. One of the most informative I've ever heard.
Tremendous. Thanks. What a great interview!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Very interesting and informative; I agree that era was more exciting because of the various design differences with both chassis and engines....
Place I'd love to be around to hear the conversation= Mr. Unser chats with the current chief mechanics of the top Indy teams.
No Dirty Air there! One of Bobby's famous Quotes from his commentating days! Miss those days, Maw Unser Bobby & Al's Mom use to make her Famous Chili, Enough for all of Gasoline Ally
wow! The Unser family won 9 Indy500s in 27 years from 1968 to 1994 I feel so sad that Bobby is in a wheel chair but I am glad to see he is still with us.
Given today's technology, I am so amazed at how these guys built, setup and drove those cars. Some of the craziest and bravest people ever. 1100 HP!! WTH? I could listen to Bobby forever.
Thank you for this interview --& post
Awesome!
I really enjoyed this, didn't know that Bobby was such an engineer.
Robyn Miller is kind of a national treasure.
What great 2 guys both my heros😝
Fantastic! Thank You!
15:37 - 15:46
Good people but it was nice to we could build a car that would beat the Bri..Mclaren .
🤣 As a Brit, this was my favourite part. Love ya Mr Unser!!
Bobby isn't blowing smoke about that 75 eagle. He had the exact same car in 74 and that eagle had nothing for Foyt's Coyote or Rutherford's M-16 McLaren. Unser took second but was never really a factor. In 75 he came back and put it on the outside of the front row. No one paid any attention to the fact he had improved qualifying average from 185 in 1974 to 191 in 1975. During first half of 75 race he laid back and hid out, conserving fuel. Then, all of sudden he was going like hell. He blew past Rutherford in turn 3 and was fast moving on Foyt and as I recall, AJ then ran out of fuel? I always wonder if Foyt's crew warned him about Unser and this pushed AJ into a mistake? Wally Dallenbach though, was way out in front and looking uncatchable. He eventually burned a piston only 12 laps before rain came. I wonder if Bobby would also, have run down Dallenbach? If we asked him I'm sure Bobby would laugh and say "oh for sure I could have." No sweat man!"
Incredible stuff
That was good , thanks.
MORE OF THIS!!!
Absolutely beautiful race cars. Uncle Bobby sure did have some tricks but as I think back on him, one of his best hat tricks might actually have been in 1977. Brand new Penske McLaren Cosworth's were the rage and early on, Sneva broke the 200 barrier in one. All the other Cosworth's including Foyt's V-8 seemed stuck at 193-195. It was towards the end of qualifying and everyone figured the pole was Sneva's to keep. But that was until Uncle Bobby rolled out in a Lightning Offy that had a horrible turquoise paint job. It was a year old chassis and it was a decent car but it couldn't compete with the V-8s. Uncle Bobby woke the huge crowd up and brought them to their feet. He damned near knocked Sneva from the pole and no open wheeler who was there had to wonder "how and why that old offy went that fast."
What? That’s all? I wanted to see the Johnny Lightening special blue with yellow lightening bolts! Bobby could talk for 3 months straight! Nice vid.robbin
I think I was at the museum that day.
Hey bobby ok what's he doing in wheel chair,bob u okay, last time I saw u was fine ,best health to ya,thanks guys...bobby is the best commentator he's knows so much and tells great story's with style,u alway learn something and leave laughing...thanks feel better.
Beautiful...!
Adoro ver estes museus e impressionante!
RIP Legend!
We just lost one of the greatest drivers in racing! From probably the greatest time in racing!🏎🏎
How is Mr.Unser feeling these days?
Totally cool!
Awesome !!!
If Ma Unser were around today, she would fix her famous chili with turkey instead of pork. Uncle Bobby loved turkey!!!
r.i.p mr.unser
All way wanted to ride in a rented car with bobby ,brother al.😜
It's too bad that Indy car racing is reduced to kit cars when the teams have enough talent and resources to build their own race care that would make for a much better show.
Larry 21603 idk how true this is but after the ban of tobacco sponsorship all motor racing went to shit. just my opinion lol
So, you'd be okay with a field of 14 cars, because only a couple of teams could afford to build their own while most of the other teams struggle just to put together a budget for a full season.
I've thought about that many times too, except the teams with the most money and resources would have a clear advantage. No team could compete with Penske.
Yeah. CART killed real chassis competition.
Does anyone know whay is the great Bobby unser using a Wheel chair?
lipcovitch1 I was wondering that myself. Age gets to us all. But boy his mind still has full boost in the turbocharger.
I believe it is related to his back. I heard him say he has severe back trouble now.
That makes sense to me. I can't imagine some of the hits he had to have taken throughout his amazing career.
He had back surgery.
Bobby is right. Clone cars now. I miss when a guy could go fast because he has his secrets. Still love the cars and racing but that era is sadly gone.
Yepp😉
It says something when SUPERMAN uses a wheelchair. :(
Doesn't matter. If you plan on killing him, you better bring some Kryptonite. ;-)
god is he in a chair now my hero is getting old