Parnelli Jones

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**Parnelli Jones**
Born:	August 12, 1933
Birthplace:	Texarkana, Arkansas
Awards:	1990 International Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee 1991 inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame 1992 inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America 1961 Indianapolis 500 co-Rookie of the Year 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner 1964 USAC stock car champion 1960, 1961, 1962 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion 1976 inductee in the Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
NASCAR Cup statistics
34 races run over 12 years.
Best Cup Position:	33rd - 1958 (Grand National)
First Race:	1956 Merced Fairgrounds
Last Race:	1970 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside)
First Win:	1957 Kitsap County Airport (Bremerton)
Last Win:	1967 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside)
Wins	Top Tens	Poles
4	11	3

Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones (born August 12, 1933 in Texarkana, Arkansas), is an American racing driver who won the 1963 Indianapolis 500.

In his career, Parnelli Jones won races in many types of vehicles: sports cars, Indycars, sprint cars, midget cars, off-road vehicles, and stock cars. He grew up and still resides in Torrance, California, where he also raised two sons who are professional drivers: P.J. Jones and Page Jones.

1 Driving career
2 Indy 500 results
3 Awards
4 Car owner
5 2007 Mustang
6 External links

[edit] Driving career

In 1961, he was named the Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year that he shared with Bobby Marshman. In 1962, he was the first driver to qualify over 150mph at the Indianapolis 500, winning the pole position at a speed of 150.370 mph.

In the 1963 Indianapolis 500, he started on the pole. His car developed a horizontal leak in the oil reservoir with less than 40 laps to go. His car owner fought to keep the car from being black flagged. The oil level dropped to the level of the crack, and the leak stopped. Jones went on to win the race.

In 1964 he won 7 races (and tie for a win) on his way to the USAC stock car crown.

In 1967, he drove in the Indianapolis 500 for owner Andy Granatelli in the revolutionary Pratt & Whitney Turbine. Jones dominated the race but dropped out with four laps to go when a small inexpensive bearing broke. After 1968, turbine powered cars were legislated out of competitiveness.

Jones subsequently retired from driving after six wins, and twelve pole positions in Indycar racing.

He was successful in the few NASCAR races that he attempted, with four wins in 34 attempts.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1961	98	5	146.080	7	12	192	27	Flagged
1962	98	1	150.370	1	7	200	120	Running
1963	98	1	151.153	1	1	200	167	Running
1964	98	4	155.099	4	23	55	7	Pit fire
1965	98	5	158.625	5	2	200	0	Running
1966	98	4	162.484	4	14	87	0	Wheel Bearing
1967	40	6	166.075	6	6	196	171	Bearing
Totals						1130	492

Starts	7
Poles	2
Front Row	2
Wins	1
Top 5	2
Top 10	4
Retired	3

[edit] Awards

He was elected to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990.
He was named to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1991.
He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992.
Jones was inducted in the Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1976.
He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

[edit] Car owner

Jones won the Indianapolis 500 again as an owner in 1970 and 1971 with driver Al Unser.

He owned the Parnelli Formula One race team from late 1974 to early 1976, although it achieved little success.

[edit] 2007 Mustang

Steve Saleen, who operates the Saleen Incorporated car manufacturing company in the United States, made a limited edition (500 of them) Ford Mustang Saleen S302 Parnelli Jones commemorating Parnelli's 1970 SCCA Ford Mustang Boss racer.