INDY DIARIES: 'I had zero interest in the Indy 500. I didn't think I was good enough'

Over 99 runnings, the Indianapolis 500 has become the most famous event in motorsport. That iconic status is built on a bedrock of hundreds of small stories, and to celebrate the centennial race, RACER.com has asked some of the people who are part of Indy's fabric to share a few of those stories with us. Check back every day between now and race day for a new 'Indy Diary' entry.

It might surprise you to know that at one time Bobby Unser lacked confidence.

"I had zero interest in the Indianapolis 500 because I honestly didn't think I was good enough to go there," said the eventual three-time Indy winner of his mindset in 1963, the year that he made his debut. "I was comfortable at Pikes Peak or in a midget or sprint car, but you had to have a reputation or experience to even be allowed to take a rookie test.

"I'd have never gone to Indianapolis if it hadn't been for Parnelli [Jones]. He found me a ride and then he told Harlan Fengler [chief steward] to give me my test because I was as good as lot of guys out there. Parnelli had a lot of clout, so Fengler listened to him."

Unser's early days in John Chalik's laydown Offy got him through his rookie test but it wasn't up to speed, so a change was made.

"Parnelli quit that ride for me and we walked down pit road to where this yellow Novi had been sitting every day, and there was Andy Granatelli," related Unser of the powerful but temperamental cars with the brutish horsepower. "He told Andy to let me have some laps in it, and Granatelli looked at me and said: 'What makes you think you can drive my car?'

"I really didn't have an answer for that, but he agreed so I ran back to the garage to get my suit and helmet on. A lot of guys were scared of the Novi, but I guess I was too dumb to know any better. But I went fast in it, right away, like the first couple of laps, and Andy offered me the ride."

Unser, who had been sleeping on Jones' couch because he had no money, then asked the man who would go on to win the 1963 Indy 500 a pertinent question.

"I was broke, I didn't have anything, so I asked Rufus if I should get paid and, if so, how much should I ask for. He told me of course, and I should tell Andy I needed $10,000. Now this is 1963 and $10,000 was a fortune, so I wanted Parnelli to go ask for me, but he wouldn't. So I went down and ask for $10,000, and came back with $1,000."

Unser's debut was short-lived, as he crashed on Lap 2. "Somebody braked early and I either hit him in the butt or hit the wall, so I turned right and got the fence." But his career was off and running.

"I was a 29-year-old rookie but I became famous overnight, not because of Bobby Unser, but because of the Novi," he said. "It was in every paper, and that really got me going. And it was all because Parnelli Jones thought I deserved a chance."