1981 Indianapolis 500
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The 65th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday, May 24, 1981. The race is widely considered one of the most controversial races in Indy history. Bobby Unser took the checkered flag as the winner, with Mario Andretti finishing second. After the conclusion of the race, USAC officials ruled that Unser had passed cars illegally while exiting the pit area during a caution on lap 149. Unser was subsequently issued a one-position penalty. The next morning, the official race results were posted, and Unser was dropped to second place. Andretti was elevated to first place and declared the race winner.
1981 Indianapolis 500
Ticket stub
Bobby Unser finished first but was penalized after the race for an infraction, and was dropped to second place in the official results. He was reinstated the victory on October 9.
Mario Andretti finished second, but was declared the winner after Bobby Unser's penalty was issued. Andretti was returned to second on October 9 when Unser's victory was reinstated.
Bobby Unser
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Robert William Unser was an American automobile racer. At his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994, he had the fourth most IndyCar Series wins at 35. Unser won the 1968 and 1974 United States Automobile Club (USAC) national championships. He won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb overall title 10 times.
Unser visiting the White House in 1986
Unser's winning car from the 1968 Indianapolis 500.
Unser's winning car from the 1975 Indianapolis 500.
Unser's 1979 Penske Cosworth Champ Car.