Parnelli Jones: A Legendary Racing Career

Originally born in Texarkana, Arkansas, as Rufus Parnell Jones, the racer who became renowned as “Parnelli Jones” had strong ties to Southern California after his family moved to Torrance, California. His journey as a driver began at the age of 17, despite his family’s disapproval of racing. Consequently, his childhood friend, Billy Calder, affectionately gave him the nickname “Parnellie” by creatively spelling Jones’ middle name, which allowed him to conceal his racing activities on his jalopy racecar door. From that point, Jones embarked on a remarkable racing career and eventually gained notoriety as a legendary driver and team owner. Sadly, Parnelli passed away on June 4 at the impressive age of 90, leaving behind a legacy as a true racing icon. Here’s a look at some of the machinery he worked with:

Memorable Cars in Parnelli Jones’ Career

Throughout his illustrious career, many cars bore Jones’ name, with some becoming more memorable than others. Most notable is “Ol’ Calhoun,” the 1963 winner of the Indianapolis 500, which featured the race promoter J.C. Agajanian behind its iconic livery. This car sported a predominantly white body with a striking red stripe and blue nose, along with gold lettering, including its number, “98.”

Conversely, Jones faced challenges during his attempt to race in the 1967 Indy 500 under the guidance of Andy Granatelli. This was the STP-Paxton Turbocar, powered by a ST6B-62 gasoline turbine engine, mounted to the left side of the open-wheel car built by Granatelli. Although Jones qualified in sixth place, he quickly took the lead, only to face disappointment when a transmission bearing failed with just eight laps remaining. The car would race again in 1968, but turbine-powered vehicles were ultimately banned from USAC, and the car was tragically crashed during practice, never to race again.

Racing Achievements and Legacy

In his journey during the 1967 era, Jones competed in Trans Am with Bud Moore and his Mercury Cougar. This involved an intense four-hour race in Green Valley, Texas, against fellow storied driver Dan Gurney, who narrowly clinched the win. This period also marked his affiliation with Ford Motor Company, leading Jones to race the gold and black Ford Mustang Boss 302 from 1969 to 1970. Additionally, in NASCAR, Jones achieved four victories, including success at the 1967 MotorTrend 500 at Riverside International Raceway.

Moreover, Parnelli Jones is perhaps most famously remembered for “Big Oly,” the revolutionary Ford Bronco that dominated the 1971 Mexican 1000—now referred to as the SCORE Baja 1000. This vehicle also triumphed in other significant off-road competitions, such as the Mint 400 and Baja 500.

Post-Racing Ventures

Following the 1974 SCORE Baja 500, Jones not only owned a Formula One team from 1974 to 1976 but also ventured into businesses outside motorsport under Parnelli Jones Inc., which managed 47 retail tire centers, a wholesale reseller of auto parts, and owned several wheel manufacturing companies, including Rebel Wheel Co., US Mags, and American Racing Equipment in the 1970s.

Final Thoughts on Parnelli Jones

Parnelli Jones passed away on June 4, 2024, at 90 years of age, survived by his wife, Judy, sons PJ and Page Jones, and six grandchildren. The automotive world has lost an extraordinary driver and businessman whose impact extends far beyond any vehicle he drove.