John Wayne Parsons1975 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (May 25, 1975) (born August 26, 1944 in Van Nuys, California) is an American race car driver. He is the son of 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner Johnnie Parsons. He drove Indy cars in the USAC National Championship, and also drove USAC championship dirt cars.
Parsons made twelve starts at the Indianapolis 500, with a best finish of fifth in 1977 and 1985.
Racing career Parsons started twelve Indianapolis 500 races. His last Indy 500 start was the 1996 race.
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.
Racing family Parsons is the son of Johnnie Parsons and Arza Parsons (née Mitchell). His parents divorced, and Johnny was raised with half-brothers Dana Carter and Duane "Pancho" Carter Jr., the product of Arza's marriage with Duane Carter Sr. The Carters grew up racing quarter-midgets in Indianapolis.Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame His first name is spelled differently than his father's. Though not his legal name, he was sometimes referred to in the media as "Johnny Parsons Jr." to distinguish him from his father.
Career award Parsons was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1994.
Racing record
Complete USAC Mini-Indy Series results Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pos Points 1977 TRE MIL MOS PIR - - 1979 TEX1 IRP MIL1 POC TEX2 MIL2 MIN1 MIN2 11th 250
IRL IndyCar Series Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points Ref 1996 Blueprint Racing Lola T93 16 Menard WDW PHX INDY 17th 141 1996-97 Buick NH1 LV1 WDW PHX INDY TEX PIK CMS NH2 LV2 51st 7
Indianapolis 500 results
Year Chassis Engine Start Finish 1969 Failed to Qualify 1973 King Offy Practice Crash 1974 Finley Offy 29th 26th 1975 Eagle Offy 12th 19th 1976 Eagle Offy 14th 12th 1977 Wildcat DGS 11th 5th 1978 Lightning Offy 8th 10th 1979 Lightning DGS 9th 32nd 1980 Lightning Offy 7th 26th 1981 Lightning Chevrolet Failed to Qualify 1982 March Cosworth 25th 20th 1983 Penske Cosworth 23rd 22nd 1984 Penske Cosworth Failed to Qualify 1985 March Cosworth 26th 5th 1986 March Cosworth 28th 27th 1987 March Buick Failed to Qualify 1988 March Cosworth Failed to Qualify 1989 March/Lola Cosworth Failed to Qualify 1991 Lola Cosworth Failed to Qualify 1992 Lola Buick Failed to Qualify 1993 Chevrolet Failed to Qualify 1994 Lola Greenfield Failed to Qualify 1995 Reynard Ford-Cosworth Failed to Qualify 1996 Lola Menard-Buick 27th 28th
References