Jerry Unser Jr.

Jeremy Michael 'Jerry' Unser Jr. (15 November 1932 - 17 May 1959): American racing driver from Colorado Springs, Colorado who was the first of the Unser family to compete at Indianapolis and the 1957 USAC Stock Car champion. He was the older brother of drivers Bobby and Al Unser, who would go on to become legendary Indianapolis 500 winners. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960, and drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation.

Jerry Unser participated in one World Championship race but scored no points. In 1958, his only Indianapolis 500 start, Unser was caught up in a 13-car pileup on the first lap and flew over the turn three wall, emerging unhurt. In early May 1959 he returned to Indianapolis for his second attempt but hit the wall during a practice lap and was badly burned. He succumbed to his injuries and pneumonia 17 days later on 17 May 1959 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana.