Al Unser Sr, Indianapolis 500
[h=2]Al Unser Sr. named honoree for 2017 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Congratulations![/h] Tuesday, 30 August 2016
RACER Staff / Images by LAT
Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Sr. has been named the honoree for the 22nd annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, which will be held March 10-12, 2017.
"The 100th running of the Indy 500 has made us even more nostalgic than usual," said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. "When we started to think about an honoree for 2017 'Big Al' seemed like the perfect choice. Next May is the 30th anniversary of 'Big Al's' fourth '500' victory and the 60th anniversary of his first race win: perfect bookends to an extraordinary career. We were very flattered when he agreed to join us in 2017."
Thre three-time Indy car champion (1970, '83, '85), mastered all forms of motor racing, including four times as a Hoosier Hundred victor and sprints, midgets, Formula 5000 and stock cars; in May, he took to the track in the winner of the first Indy 500, the 1911 Marmon Wasp, as part of the festivities for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 (
pictured). The Hall of Famer was USAC stock car rookie of the year in 1967 and IROC champion in 1978. In his final Indianapolis 500 (1987) win he broke Ralph De Palma's 67-year-old record for most career laps led in the historic race and is the current leader at 644. In 2011 he was voted by fans as second all time to A.J. Foyt in the "Greatest 33" ever to compete in the Indy 500.
In June 2015, SVRA gave Unser the honor of grand marshal for the Brickyard Invitational at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
About the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance – Now in its third decade, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, "Amelia" draws over 250 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other. Since 1996 the show's foundation has donated over $2.75 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc., Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops, Micah's Place (for abused women) and other deserving charities. The 21st annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is scheduled for March 11-13, 2016. For more information, visit
www.ameliaconcours.org or call 904-636-0027.