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Parnelli Jones

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The Resume

    (August 12, 1933- )
    Birth Name: Rufus Parnell Jones
    USAC Sprint Car Champion (1961, 1962)
    Indy 500 Rookie of the Year (1961)
    Indy 500 Pole Sitter (1962)
    Indy 500 Winner (1963)
    First driver to run a lap at over 150 miles per hour at Indy.
    5 Time Baja 500 winner
    3 Time Baja 1000 winner
    1964 USAC Stock Car champion

Why he might be annoying:

    He had a large lead in the 1962 Indy 500 but faded to 7th place with brake problems.
    He competed in the 1967 Indy 500 driving the first turbine powered car, which was criticized by racing purists.
    In the 1967 Indy 500, he had a 52 second lead over AJ Foyt with 3 laps to go but the seals in the engine seized and he was forced to retire from the race.
    His owner had to plead with the chief steward to not black flag him because the car was leaking oil.
    He got in fights as a kid because of his name.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He 'learned racing by doing.'
    He won the 1970 and 1971 Indy 500's as an owner with Al Unser as his driver.
    He is considered one of the most versatile drivers ever with wins at Indy, the deserts of Mexico and the Pikes Peak Hill climb among other venues.
    He owns a successful chain of Firestone distributors among other business ventures.
    He had memorable racing battles with AJ Foyt.
    He is credited with helping the sport of off-road racing get to national prominence.

Credit: FHgrad99


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 15 Votes: 26.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 23 Votes: 52.17% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 52.38% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 41.18% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 37 Votes: 43.24% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 80 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 98 Votes: 62.24% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 119 Votes: 55.46% Annoying