An original 5x5" vintage photo from the Marty Himes estate.

Provenance: This photograph comes directly from the Marty Himes Racing Museum Collection, assembled over decades by Marty Himes - racer, restorer, and lifelong archivist of American racing. Every piece he preserved tells part of the story of motorsport’s rise from dirt tracks to the spectacle of the Indy 500. We acquired the majority of his photo collection after his passing. Many of his photos are extremely rare or even one of a kind.

Photo Overview

Al Unser walks through Gasoline Alley at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 1979, captured in a candid moment in his Pennzoil and Goodyear branded Indy car driving suit during practice for the Indianapolis 500. The image, taken by Indiana racing photographer Gerald Walker, shows Unser moving toward the camera as crew members and spectators fill the busy garage area behind him, with the low garages and open bays of IMS clearly visible.

Al Unser was one of the greatest American open wheel racers, winning the Indianapolis 500 four times (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987) and capturing multiple USAC and CART championships, cementing the Unser family as Indy car royalty. Images showing Unser in the heart of Gasoline Alley during his competitive prime are prized by collectors, especially from the late 1970s Pennzoil era; add this authentic piece of Indy 500 history to your collection now before another dedicated fan grabs it.

Text Present

Front, on driving suit patches:
PENNZOIL
gabrie
GOODYEAR

Back, stamped:
PHOTO BY
GERALD WALKER
R. NO. 1, CLIFFY FARMS
COLUMBUS, INDIANA 47201

Back, handwritten in blue ink:
16-D
Al Unser #2
Indy
May 1979

Back, handwritten in red ink:
(1-1)

Print analysis:
Back has a dedicated photographer stamp from Gerald Walker with rural route address and period ZIP code, plus contemporary notations dated May 1979. The photo appears to be a gelatin silver print on single weight paper consistent with late 1970s lab processing. Given the event date and the likely quick turnaround for racing photos, this is best classified as a Type 1 original print made within a few years of when the negative was exposed, almost certainly in 1979.

Condition: Please see scans of the image we have provided for the most accurate and complete state of the photo. Many of the photos in this collection are very old and have age related wear, chips, creases, curling, etc. Others are remarkably well maintained.