Johnny Parsons
| Johnny Parsons | |
|---|---|
|
Parsons in 2014 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
August 26, 1944 Van Nuys, California |
| Retired | 1996 |
| Related to |
Johnnie Parsons (father) Dana Carter (half brother) Pancho Carter (half brother) |
| American Championship Car | |
| Years active | 1969-1996 |
| Teams |
Vatis Racing Hopkins Racing Wysard Racing Arciero Racing Leader Cards Racing Blueprint Racing |
| Starts | 106 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Poles | 2 |
| Best finish | 10th in 1976 (USAC) |
| Previous series | |
| 1979 | Super Vee |
| Awards | |
| 1994 | National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame |
John Wayne Parsons[1] (born August 26, 1944 in Van Nuys, California) is an American racecar driver.
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.[2] 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.[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
- Parsons was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1994.[2]
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 |
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
- ↑ 1975 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (May 25, 1975)
- 1 2 3 4 5 Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame