Nationality American Championships 0 Children Johnny Parsons Entries 9 Role Race car driver | Name Johnnie Parsons Active years 1950 - 1958 Wins 1 | |
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Born July 4, 1918 ( 1918-07-04 ) Died September 8, 1984, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, United States | ||
1979 Johnnie Parsons Interview
Johnnie Woodrow Parsons (July 4, 1918 – September 8, 1984) was an American race car driver from Los Angeles, California who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1950.
Contents
- 1979 Johnnie Parsons Interview
- Ryan Holmans IndyCar Drivers Born on July 4
- Racing career
- Awards
- World Championship career summary
- Complete Formula One World Championship results
- References
Parsons had the dubious distinction of being the only Indianapolis 500 winner to have his name misspelled on the Borg-Warner Trophy. Silversmiths carved "Johnny" instead of "Johnnie." He had a son named Johnny who competed at Indy a dozen times.
Ryan Holman's IndyCar Drivers Born on July 4
Racing career
Parsons first raced in open wheel cars on the West Coast of the United States in a midget car. He won the 1942 season championship in the United Midget Association. He won 18 feature events in the abbreviated season. Parsons began racing in the AAA after World War II. He captured the third feature in the 1948 Night Before the 500 midget race at the 16th Street Speedway. Parsons finished second in his first Indy 500 in 1949. He won the season championship that season. He also won the 1950 Indianapolis 500. He won the 1955 Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car race.
After he retired, he became the Chief Steward for the USAC Midget division on the West Coast in the 1970s.
Awards
World Championship career summary
The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Johnnie Parsons participated in 9 World Championship races. He won 1 race, set 1 fastest leading lap, and finished on the podium once. He accumulated a total of 12 championship points.
Parsons is one of only three drivers to win on his world championship début. The other two are Giuseppe Farina, who won the first world championship grand prix, the 1950 British Grand Prix, and Giancarlo Baghetti, who won the 1961 French Grand Prix.
Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)