Legendary Racing Driver Parnelli Jones Passes Away at 90

Parnelli Jones, a famous racer and winner of the 1963 Indianapolis 500, passed away at the age of 90. His son, PJ, shared the news on social media. Parnelli had been fighting Parkinson's disease for many years. In 1963, he set a record speed of 151.153 mph during qualifying and won the race by a significant margin. However, there was controversy as his car leaked oil and started smoking. Race officials thought about disqualifying him but decided not to. Other drivers claimed they spun out because of the oil from Parnelli's car. Parnelli Jones was born as Rufus Parnell Jones in Texarkana, Arkansas, on August 12, 1933. He started racing at 17 in California, even before it was legal. He was known for his speed and skills on the track. After retiring from racing, he co-owned winning cars in the Indy 500 and also managed a Formula One car driven by Mario Andretti. Parnelli Jones passed away in Torrance, California, after battling Parkinson's disease. He was the oldest living winner of the Indianapolis 500. Jones was a talented driver who made history by being the first to qualify at over 150 mph at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He led in many races and was a respected figure in the racing world. Jones had a successful racing career, winning multiple races in different categories. He was inducted into various Halls of Fame for his contributions to auto racing. He was admired for his determination and competitive spirit on the track. Parnelli Jones will be remembered as one of the greatest drivers of his time, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of auto racing.