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1987 Indy 500: Oldest winner ever

Posted at 5:03 PM, Apr 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-29 17:03:06-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Basketball dominated the first months of 1987.

The movie, "Hoosiers," was nominated for two Academy Awards.

And the Indiana University Hoosiers making big news in their own right, winning their fifth NCAA championship.

At the track, Indianapolis 500 fans had no idea what moment in history they would witness on May 24.

Not a single car in the field was built in the U.S.

But starting 20th, an American original, Al Unser, Sr.

The three-time 500 champ arrived at the track without a ride.

But when a practice crash sidelined Danny Ongais, Roger Penske called on the veteran.

With no spare car, the team retrieved a 1986 March-Cosworth on display at a Pennsylvania hotel for Unser to drive.

Big Al took the lead in the 183rd lap and just five days before his 48th birthday captured his 4th Indy 500 title.

Only the second four-time winner and the oldest Indy 500 winner ever.

MORE ON THE ROAD TO 100

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