R.I.P. Parnelli Jones

Serendipity…….In 1994 I was invited to Mario Andretti’s farewell/retirement dinner in Indianapolis. The tables were set for 10. When called to dinner there were still two empty seats at our table, I didn’t recognize any of the six already seated, so I figured we were at the kiddie table. After a few minutes the last couple was seated….Mr. and Mrs. Parnelli Jones….and he was seated next to me! Once he got comfortable with his dinner companions he couldn’t have been more charming. It truly was an unforgettable evening.

Thanks, Parnelli.

 

RIP

If I recall correctly he had a bit of a beef with Mark Donahue, I think it’s sort of described in Mark’s book. Entertaining guy and one of the old school racers.

 

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/community/people/respected-at-every-track-remembering-parnelli-jones/

Here’s a great obit

 

I liked Trans Am and Can Am far more than Indy, especially when Jim Hall and those amazingly innovative Chaparrals were running. Great racing!

 

I didn't mention CanAm, but TransAm and Baja after Indy ?

 

Parnelli was the consummate racer. Enough said.

 

Parnelli with Clark's '64 Lotus, with which he finished second in the '65 race:

 

Parnelli with the '68 Lotus turbine car, which he drove at Goodwood in 2011:

 

When CanAm came to Laguna the Earth shook.

 

I remember a racer saying how the wide tires were part of the suspension system.