Jones’ resume included racing on multiple circuits and in various vehicles (e.g., midget cars, sprint cars), but most fans remember him for his work at the Indianapolis 500.
Born Rufus Parnell Jones, he got the nickname “Parnelli” from a childhood friend. Realizing that he had “a need for speed,” Jones began racing jalopies in California by the time he was 17 years old.
Jones toured multiple racing circuits in the late 1950s, usually driving midget and sprint cars. His work got the attention of racecar owner J.C. Agajanian, who eventually sponsored him for IndyCar races.
Photo courtesy Frontstretch
Jones ran his inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1961. He led early, but faded away to finish in 12th place after being hit in the face by a stone, which impaired his driving ability. Still, people were so impressed that he, with Bobby Marshman, shared the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award. A year later, Jones became the first driver to qualify over 150 miles per hour at the Indy 500. But he again experienced track issues (this time brake issues) and finished in 7th Place. The third time was the charm. Jones won the championship in 1963, driving a Watson roadster called Ol’ Calhoun. Jones won the Indy 500 again in 1970 and 1971 with co-owner Al Unser Sr., driving the Johnny Lightning. Jones continued driving every Memorial Day until 1967, the last competitive race of his illustrious career.
A versatile driver, Jones won six IndyCar races, four NASCAR wins, 25 midget car wins, 25 sprint car wins, and seven Trans-Am wins. Jones also owned Formula One cars for two years, and his vehicles secured wins at the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. A successful businessman after his racing career, Jones operated and owned chains of tire dealerships, aptly named Parnelli Jones Tire Centers.
Jones was also inducted into many Halls of Fame, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. He was posthumously inducted into the Trans-Am Series Hall of Fame.
Mario Andretti: Parnelli Jones was the greatest driver of his era. He had aggressiveness and also a finesse that no one else possessed. And he won on everything he put his hands on.
Parnelli Jones passed away last year at the age of 90. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest surviving winner of the Indy 500.
