Of Parnelli Jones’s many, many followers, few have been greater than the late Robin Miller, who famously named him amongst his ‘Mount Rushmore’ alongside A.J. Foyt, Bobby Unser and Dan Gurney. Jones died on June 4 on the age of 90, and as we salute Jones’s life and extraordinary profession, it appears becoming to offer Miller the ultimate phrase on one of many all-time greats.
Parnelli Jones, 1933-2024
Successful Indianapolis one time and 5 different Champ Automobile races in eight years are hardly Corridor of Fame statistics, however numbers by no means did justice to Rufus Parnelli Jones. The 1963 Indy 500 winner is considered top-of-the-line and most versatile drivers ever – by rivals, chief mechanics and nearly anybody fortunate sufficient to look at him in a midget sprinter, roadster, grime automobile, sports activities automobile, inventory automobile, Trans Am or at Baja.
He gained in each class besides System 1, the place he by no means competed however turned down Colin Chapman’s supply to be the workforce’s B driver. Rufus thrived and survived in open wheel racing’s deadliest period, and by no means spent one evening within the hospital. In his seven begins at Indianapolis, he led 492 laps and will have simply gained 5 of them with a little bit little bit of luck. A.J. Watson stated he was one of the best that ever drove at Indy and Jones’ performances make a reasonably good argument.
He’s a type of legends that don’t want a final title: A.J., Mario and Parnelli.
