Johnny Parsons

John Wayne Parsons[1] (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 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.[2] 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.

Johnny Parsons
Parsons in 2014
NationalityAmerican
Born (1944-08-26) August 26, 1944
Van Nuys, California
Retired1996
Related toJohnnie Parsons (father)
Pancho Carter (half brother)
American Championship Car
Years active1969-1996
TeamsVatis Racing
Hopkins Racing
Wysard Racing
Arciero Racing
Leader Cards Racing
Blueprint Racing
Starts106
Wins0
Poles2
Best finish10th in 1976 (USAC)
Previous series
1979Super Vee
Awards
1994National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Racing family

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.[2]

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.[2] He has won two Silver Crown and five sprint car features.[2]

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.

Career award

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
DNS
- -
1979 TEX1 IRP MIL1
4
POC
19
TEX2 MIL2
22
MIN1
21
MIN2
4
11th 250

IRL IndyCar Series

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points
1996 Blueprint Racing Lola T93 Menard WDW
18
PHX
12
INDY
28
17th 141
1996-97 Blueprint Racing Lola T93 Buick NH1
LV1
28
WDW
PHX
INDY
TEX
PIK
CMS
NH2
LV2
51st 7

Indianapolis 500 results

Johnny Parsons at the 2016 Brickyard SVRA Pro-Am race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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

  1. 1975 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (May 25, 1975)
  2. Biography Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
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