For many motor racing aficionados the 1992 Indianapolis 500 remains one of the most memorable races in Indy History. An accident laden test of endurance that proved to be the final swansong for many of Indycar racing’s legendary figures, but for one driver in particular the race also proved to be the defining moment of an illustrious hall of fame career.

By the time of the 1992 Indycar season Al Unser Jr had established himself as one of the standout names in American Auto Racing, finishing in the top ten in points in every Indycar season he contested and winning six races on his way to a dominant championship effort in 1990. Despite this however success at Indianapolis had continued to evade Unser, his closest effort coming in 1989, when a contentious collision with Emerson Fittipaldi robbed him of a shot at 500 glory (a story we will look at in more detail on day 89 of this countdown). For 1992 Unser’s Galles team introduced a new chassis for Unser and new team-mate Danny Sullivan to contest the season with. Designed by Alan Mertens, the Galmer chassis was the latest in a long line of in house chassis projects seen in the sport during the 1990’s, and hopes were that the machine (dubbed the GM92) would allow for Galles to compete with the powerhouse Penske and Newman Haas outfits on a weekly basis. Although the car showcased potential on road courses (including a victory for Danny Sullivan at that season’s race in Long Beach) the car’s down-force levels meant that it suffered in a high speed configuration, with a 12th placed qualifying position at Indianapolis the best that Unser could do in the beleaguered chassis.

Race day at Indianapolis turned out to be one of the coldest on record, with a top temperature of 51 degrees Fahrenheit making it difficult for teams and drivers to maintain any sort of temperature in their tyres during the race, with star names such as Mario Andretti, Rick Mears and Emerson Fittipaldi all involved in accidents relating to cold tyres. Through it all however Michael Andretti held off a dominant lead over his nearest rivals, taking the lead in turn one and only surrendering it during the race’s green flag pit stops. Unser meanwhile had slowly fought his way into 2nd place, chased down by the Walker racing Lola of Scott Goodyear, who was forced to start from the back of field after taking over the car from team-mate Mike Groff.

With just 11 laps to go however Andretti was spotted slowing going into turn 3. The Newman Haas had been on the verge of putting Al Unser Sr anotr lapown, when his Ford engine gave up the ghost and once again confined him to yet anoth missed family opportunity to win the great race. The loss of Andretti moved Unser into the lead with seven laps to go, with Goodyear just behind him desperate for any opportunity to make a crucial pass. Going into the final lap Goodyear exited turn four much better then Unser, allowing him one last shot at the Galles coming to the line, despite timing his slingshot to perfection Goodyear couldn’t complete the pass, allowing Unser to pick up the win by the closest finish in 500 history.

An emotional Unser was interviewed in victory lane shortly after the race, expressing relief at finally taking the crown which had alluded him for so long in his career. “You just don’t know what Indy means” he told ABC’s Jack Arute, before celebrating with wife Shelley and family on a memorable win. The win would prove to be the only oval win for the Galmer, with the team choosing to switch back to a Lola chassis for the 1993 campaign. Unser meanwhile would taste further success at Indy, putting in one of the most dominant victories ever in the 1994 event, and helping to cement a status as one of Indy’s all time greats.

In today’s video relive the final laps of the 1992 race, including some rather questionable camerawork from ABC:

In tomorrow’s update an overlooked Indy figure fights through the pain barrier to take a famous victory.