Having debuted the Cosworth to Indy, Al Unser gave it its last victory there in his upset win in 1987. David Hutson/Motorsport Images

His smooth style would be rewarded one more time at Indy where he finished third on that frigid and crash-filled day in 1992 where his son won his first of two 500s. The original Al Unser was a week shy of turning 53 when he crossed the finish line. A few years removed from his last full-time ride in IndyCar, Unser kept busy with annual drives for the month of May, and while he wasn’t able to repeat the magic of Daytona in 1985, he did say farewell to the 24-hour race in 1991 as part of an all-Unser line-up with the Dauer Racing Porsche 962 team.

Partnered with Al Jr., plus brother Bobby and nephew Robby, the Unsers went up against the sister Dauer entry comprised of a certain Andretti family led by Mario and sons Michael and Jeff. On that occasion the clan from Nazareth, Pennsylvania got the upper hand, finishing fifth to the Unsers’ 35th.

Big Al handled the disappointment with class, as expected. Altogether, his life was an example for those who preferred a quieter, simpler existence. Well, except for all the times — countless times — where he and a certain three-time Indy 500 winner who shared the same last name and lived directly across the road tore into each other over some nonsensical dispute.

That clanging sound and all the hollering you hear overhead? It’s Al and Bobby, throwing celestial wrenches at each other. Long may the arguments continue among the Unser brothers. I have no doubt our man Robin Miller is right there in the middle, prodding both legends to say something meaner, doing his Uncle Bobby impressions, laughing hysterically.

With Big Al as the latest in a year where far too many obituaries have been written, I can only hope a reprieve is on the way for our favorite racers.