Nationality American Name Johnny Parsons Years active 1969-1996 Role Race car driver | Starts 106 Parents Johnnie Parsons Wins 0 Retired 1996 | |
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Born August 26, 1944 (age 79) Van Nuys, California ( 1944-08-26 ) Related to Teams Vatis RacingHopkins RacingWysard RacingArciero RacingLeader Cards RacingBlueprint Racing | ||
Vintage pace car ride with johnny parsons
John Wayne Parsons (born August 26, 1944 in Van Nuys, California) is an American racecar driver.
Contents
- Vintage pace car ride with johnny parsons
- The racing career of johnny parsons
- Racing family
- Career award
- References
The racing career of johnny parsons
Racing family
Johnny Parsons is the son of 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner Johnnie Parsons and Arza Parsons (née Mitchell). His parents divorced, and Johnny was raised with half-brothers Dana and Pancho Carter, the product of Arza's marriage with Duane Carter. The Carters grew up racing quarter-midgets in Indianapolis. Though not his legal name, he was sometimes referred to in the media as "Johnny Parsons, Jr." to distinguish him from his father.
Parsons started twelve Indianapolis 500 races. His last Indy 500 start was the 1996 race. His best finish was fifth in 1977 and 1985.
Parsons finished second in the 1977 USAC National points. Parsons has also twice finished second in the USAC championship dirt cars.
Parsons won 29 midget car features (as of 1994), including major wins at: the 4-Crown Nationals midget car feature twice, the 1979 Hut Hundred, and the 1986 Copper World Classic midget feature. He has won two Silver Crown and five sprint car features.
When Davey Hamilton decided to come out of retirement to run in the 2007 Indy 500, Parsons replaced him as the driver expert for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network's broadcasts of race activities.