Jimmie Johnson and the entire motorsports world is mourning the loss of racing legend Parnelli Jones this week.
Jones passed away on Tuesday of natural causes, the news of his passing was confirmed by his son, P.J. Jones. Throughout his racing career, Jones inspired generations of drivers, with his biggest win coming during the 1963 Indianapolis 500.
Over the past several years, Jones had battled Parkinson’s. After the legend’s passing, Johnson took to social media to share his respect and adulation for Jones’ accomplishments, and his life as a whole.
“Sad to hear about the passing of Parnelli Jones,” Johnson wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He was the true renaissance man of racing.”
In addition to Johnson, others from around the racing world have shared their grief over Jones’ passing, from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Team Penske owner Roger Penske to Mario Andretti, who was Jones’ foe on the track, and his friend later in life.
“The racing world has lost a great competitor and a true champion,” Penske said, via NBC Sports. “Parnelli Jones was one of the most accomplished racers in history, and his determination and will to win made him one of the toughest competitors I have ever seen.
“From racing against him on track to competing against him as a fellow team owner, I always respected Parnelli’s passion and commitment to the sport he loved. I was proud to call Parnelli a good friend for many years, and our thoughts are with his family as we remember one of the true legends of motorsports.”
Continuing, it’s evident the death of Jones has hit Andretti hard, as he was a big figure in the legendary racer’s life.
“I just spoke with his family about an hour ago,” Andretti told NBC Sports. “You can never prepare for this kind of thing. He lived to be 90, but that’s no consolation. “You want people to be around with us forever. I love that man in so many ways. As a driver, I learned so much from him. He was spectacular as a driver. There was a natural flow with him.
“Special man. We had a special friendship we developed over the years and did special things together as a family. I always kept in touch with him and kids. … The experience I had with him in Formula One, the guy was a force to be reckoned with even when he came out of the cockpit. The guy always had a great competitive team, and he created some great champions. He always did things right. Parnelli was a very intelligent man. You can never prepare for this.”
The thoughts and prayers of the motorsports world are with the family of Parnelli Jones, as the sport mourns a legend.
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