In honor of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, Southern Indiana Center for the Arts in Seymour is hosting an exhibit featuring works from the collection of four-time race winner Al Unser Sr.
The exhibit will open today with a public reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and run through June 1. Visitors can view the photographs and memorabilia from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the center, 2001 N. Ewing St.
Unser will make a public appearance from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 24.
His visit will be part of the 100th anniversary of Cummins, which is being celebrated throughout 2019. Unser drove a Cummins-sponsored car to victory in the 1987 Indianapolis 500.
“The rich history of the Indianapolis 500 was the backdrop for our planning to feature an exhibit connected with racing,” said Jane Hays, co-president of the SICA board of directors. “The fact we were able to make the exhibit one from the Al Unser Sr. collection, plus teaming with Cummins to have the four-time 500 winner appear in Seymour, is very exciting.”
Unser won his first Indianapolis 500 in 1970 and made it two in a row in 1971. He finished second in 1972, as he attempted to become the first driver to win the race three consecutive years. His third win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway came in 1978, which set the stage for his dramatic fourth win nine years later.
In 1987, Unser arrived at Indianapolis without a sponsored ride, but circumstances changed that before the second weekend of time trials.
He joined the Penske team in time to qualify the Cummins-sponsored car in the field, and after working his way steadily toward the front, he took the lead on the 183rd lap and went on to win the race, becoming the oldest winning driver in 500 history, just five days short of his 48th birthday.
In total, Unser had 27 Indianapolis 500 starts, putting him third overall behind A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. He holds the record for leading the most laps with 644 and most top-three finishes with three second-place, four third-place and four first-place victories.
He was voted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1991 and seven years later was voted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
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What: Indianapolis 500 legend Al Unser Sr. photography and racing memorabilia exhibit
Where: Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, 2001 N. Ewing St., Seymour
When: The exhibit will open today with a public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and run through June 1. Visitors can view the exhibit from noon to 5 p.m Wednesdays through Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Unser will make a public appearance from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 24.
Cost: Free
Information: Call 812-522-2278, email [email protected] or visit soinart.com or the SICA Facebook page
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