| Parnelli Jones, Indy
500 winner and master of many other forms of racing as
well, was lucky enough to have the skills to work
during a time when drivers could skip around among
different series. He was successful at Indy, stock
cars, Trans-Am, and off-road racing.
California native
Jones began his career on the usual bullring sprint
and stock car tracks, winning enough to attract the
attention of champ-car entrant JC Agajanian.
"Aggie" put Jones behind the wheel of the
#98 Watson built roadster, nicknamed "Old
Calhoun". Winning the first two USAC
National Sprint Car Championships in 1961 and 1962,
Parnelli earned a special place in racing history with
his memorable duels against drivers like Jim Hurtubise
and A. J. Foyt. A keen observer of technique, Jones
went to Indianapolis in 1960 not as a driver but as a
student. He returned in 1961 to become Rookie of the
Year. In 1962, he became the first driver to crack the
150 mph barrier at the Brickyard. Starting from the
pole, he led 123 of the first 125 laps until failing
brakes forced him to fall back to 7th at the checkered
flag and set the first ever pole position time of over
150 MPH at Indy. He won with it the following year
despite a leaking oil reservoir near the end of the
race. Jones almost won again in 1967 driving one of
Andy Granatelli's turbine cars, but a $5 part failed
with 3 laps to go!
Jones
retired from open-wheel racing after that and focused on
other racing series including stock cars like the one
pictured here. His business interests included a large
chain of Firestone tire stores. Then, in partnership
with Ford dealer Vel Miletich, he formed an Indy-car
"super team" for drivers Mario Andretti and Al
Unser. The Vels-Parnelli team and Al Unser won Indy in
1970 & 1971 in a "Johnny Lightning
Special".
Parnelli
continued to race in Trans Am sedans and won the
championship in 1970 driving a Mustang.
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