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Did "Uncle Bobby" let the air outta his
Brother Al's 1987 Indy 500 Winner? Which Eagle Eyed No Fenders Photographer
CARPETS' spotted this May during our visit. (the Tomaso Collection)
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As it's time for another enjoyable romp thru Mother
Speedway's Fantastic time capsule" Garage of racing round it's Hallowed
Grounds...
Otay, so much for another short story, Eh? As
per Tipicali, my IMS Weekend Trip Notes rant simply keeps Mushrooming in
length. As your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso simply cannot manage the Art
form of the short post' but I digress...
In what has become our long standing
tradition on the Monday following the race, Dave drove us over to the IMS Museum
for my yearly visit.
Guessing we must have been somewheres' near
Downtown? Since Dave noted how that's Odd? What's the Penske Racing Team's Semi-hauler doing
pulling out of the J.D. Marriot? Hmm? May be they're dropping off Will Power's
Indy 500 winning mount for the Banquet? Which is exactly what was happening.
IMS Museum
As it's always funny to Mwah, how from
year-to-year, you never know what you'll get as a blind visitor to the museum.
As I've gone from Free Admission to our personally Guided Tour allowing me to
touch three racing cars to absolute
nothing, not even giving me the slightest nod...
As this year's exhibit features the legendary
Unser's, presumably the only Family to have three multi-Indianapolis 500
winners in its ranks, with the amazing tally of nine Indy 500 victories!
As I swear All
nine of the Unser's Indy 500 winners were On-hand, although Jim Ayello's
article notes that just eight of the nine were present. But then again, Hmm?
Cannot seem to remember if 'lil Al's Galmer chassis was there?
With three of B-I-G AL's four winners grouped
together, while the other PJ Colt Johnny Lightning chassis was off in an
original Gasoline Alley Garage diorama.
Thought 'Ol "Uncle bobby's" three
winners were side-by-side? Since all I
remember is CARPETS' telling me the cars were autographed - before asking me
what's Olsonite? Which is funny since I've got a 1:18 Diecast replica of that bone
white Eagle chassis that Bobby Unser won the Pole at Mother Speedway aboard.
And I really liked the new Display Cases,
which apparently were recondition from the 1930's? Even if I couldn't see
anything inside them. As there's countless great trinkets, trophies, helmets,
etc spread all about the museum.
Not to mention much of Thar' winnings from
"Unser Mountain," aka Pikes Peak, which I think bobby won an
astounding 13 times? Along with a 1946 "tow" truck pulling a racer
behind it.
While I'd just learned about Ma Unser's chili
cook-offs during a recent Speed Freaks interview with Uncle Bobby on Mother's
Day, for which the giant cook pot and canoe sized stirring paddle were on
display, or pictures of said cooking implements? Although I'm pretty sure at
least the paddle was Thar.
As I guess the two cars that made the most
impression upon your blind Word Butcher were the following non-IndyCar related,
since I've seen many of the Unser's Indy 500 machinery either in the past IMS
Hall of Fame museum, or at the Penske Racing Museum in Arizona...
1993 Chevrolet Lumina Stock Car
Sadly, due to my constantly faltering
eyesight, this was one of the only vehicles I could see at the museum. Well
actually it was just the giant numbers 46 jumping out to me, thanks to the contrasting
starkly white paint job. Since I couldn't see any Valvoline Deckles...
this was 'lil Al's single foray into the Dark
Side 'O Taxicab Land; Err Bombers, or better known simply as Stock Cars. As Al
Unser, Jr. was persuaded by his "good Friend, The Intimidator," or as
I prefer 'Ol Ironhead! To race in the 1993 Daytona 500 for Rick Hendrick.
Junior got Spun Out during Qualifying and
wrecked his primary car, whilst noting his team-mates were a rookie named Jeff
Gordon, and Ken Schrader.
Yet Hendrick elected to put 'lil Al into
Schrader's Backup Car, hence the unusual monotone paint scheme, since Thar
simply wasn't time to repaint his ride for Day-Toner.
Then after Unser Jnr had wheeled the Chevy Lumina
up front from 40th position; which 'lil Al claims this chassis was way Faster
then his primary car!
Ironically, He got the Chrome Horn treatment
from Dale Earnhardt Sr., causing him to spin and be collected by other Drivers
behind him - in his one 'N only NASCAR race.
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| A.J. Foyt started his Porsche 962 from the fifth Row at Daytona in 1988, before the car finished sixth Overall. (Image source: sportscardigest.com) |
1987 Copenhagen Porsche 962
This iconic Porsche Endurance Sports Car,
which obliterated North America's IMSA competition in the mid-1980's was
purchased by A.J. Foyt enterprises, and led to much curiosity for Mwah.
Especially since I'd seen other 962's raced in anger at Portland International Raceway
in their waning years.
Not to mention
being introduced to these iconic Porsche racing cars when given a large poster
of my local racing team Bruce Leven's Bayside Disposal's #86 962 with a female
model in Bathing Suit sporting Sun glasses in front of it!
The car
was raced by SuperTex', 'Ol Hollywood and Big Al', nee A.J. Foyt, Danny
Sullivan and Al Unser to fourth place in the '87 24 Hours of Daytona.
The following year, 'lil Al, aka Al Unser,
Jr. replaced his father and co-drove alongside Foyt and Elliot Forbes Robinson
to sixth place overall in the Daytona 24hrs event.
The car is resplendent in the iconic black
Copenhagen colours Foyt campaigned for years. But oddly, according to my
personal museum Sherpa CARPETS', also strangely sports Hurley Haywood's name upon
it's door sill, for reasons unknown.
Although it's not a Bad thingy' having
Hurley's name adorn this beautiful Porsche 962 Customer example, especially
since he's a legend of the 24 Hours of Daytona. Currently tied with Scotty
Scooter' Pruett for most Overall victories, with five apiece.
Whilst some clever Hack's jibe of "Night Terrors
and SuperTex" at Daytona certainly grabs one's Attenzione, Eh?
Which I playfully changed to Tremors 'N Night Sweats...
As I'm sure 'Ol SuperTex was feared by many Drivers over the Years...