NHRA News: Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum fulfills vision with new Parnelli Jones exhibit (4/29/2003)

Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum fulfills vision with new Parnelli Jones exhibit

4/29/2003

Parnelli Jones, left, and NHRA founder Wally Parks greeted museum goers who came to see the new exhibit showcasing Jones' career.

It's official: the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is now a true motorsports museum. While the 5-year-old museum has always displayed cars, artifacts and memorabilia from all forms of motorsports, it was generally thought of as predominately drag racing-themed venue. Not anymore. With the recent gala opening of the new "A Salute to Parnelli Jones" exhibit, the Pomona, Calif., museum has successfully fulfilled its vision to become the mecca of motorsports.

Or as Wally Parks, NHRA founder and museum chairman said, "I've always supported and admired roundy-round racing…I just use to question why they didn't go straight."

The Parnelli Jones exhibit, which runs through Aug. 31, follows in the footsteps of the just-completed Don "The Snake" Prudhomme exhibition - the most successful one in the museum's history. Like Prudhomme, Museum Executive Director Sam Jackson and Curator Greg Sharp put together a fitting tribute to true racing icon. The exhibit chronicles Jones' incredible racing career as both a driver (Indy 500 winner and champion in everything from midgets to sprints to stock cars to off-road) and co-owner of the legendary Vel's Parnelli Jones racing team.

Jones took members of the media and other guests on a personal guided tour of the exhibit.

The exhibit, which features seven historic racing vehicles and priceless memorabilia (photos, helmets, driving suits, posters, mementos, letters and trophies) from the private Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing collection, kicked-off with a media tour guided by Parnelli himself. More than 30 members of the media gathered around as Parnelli discussed each of the cars on display: 1963 "Old Calhoun" Indy winner replica, 1969 "Big Oly" Bronco, 1971 Johnny Lightning Indy winner, 1968 "infamous" Lotus Granatelli turbine, 1964 Lotus Ford Indy car, 1969 4-Cam Ford Champ Dirt car and 1976 Mustang Funny car.

The media questions touched on several subjects. On the turbine Indy cars, which came oh-so-close to winning Indy a few times, Parnelli told the media, "We scared 'em everywhere we went. Qualified for all the poles, but never won a race in them." On Big Oly and the Baja 1000, Parnelli said, "I was asked how long it would take to win, and I said I'd do it in 15 hours. The record back then was 18 hours and something. I won in 14:59. They thought I was Houdini."

Parnelli was asked why he retired so young. "I never officially retired. I always thought retiring is just promoting yourself out of business." He added, "Seems like every time someone retires and then comes back, it never goes well. That's why I never retired."

When asked where he would be today if he was a young race car driver starting out, Parnelli laughed and said, "probably looking for a ride!"

Parnelli was back at the museum a few days later for the gala opening reception, which drew about 250 of Parnelli's friends, family and racing buddies. Among the top-name racers in attendance were Bobby Unser, Dan Gurney, and Danny Ongais. Wally Parks opened the evening by saying the Parnelli Jones exhibit was fulfilling his vision to make the museum a complete motorsports museum by "acknowledging different forms of racing."

Bobby Unser, left, was one of many racing celebrities on hand for the exhibit's opening.

Among the many speakers at the event was Dusan Miletich, son of Vel Miletich, the late partner of Parnelli. Dusan thanked the museum for honoring his dad and Parnelli and said he was amazed at how fast – and well – the museum staff put together the exhibit. "They picked up everything a few days ago and put it together fast, like any good pit crew would."

Greg Sharp said he felt a Parnelli Jones exhibit was in the cards for the museum. He told the crowd how Parnelli had been his idol as a kid and that he made a model, a 1960 Ford Starliner, of a car Parnelli drove at Daytona Beach. Sharp, who lived by Vels Ford dealership, brought the model there and Vel liked it so much, he kept it on his desk. While working with Vel's family on the exhibit, the model was found and given back to Sharp. "Forty-three years later I got my model back," Sharp beamed. "We were destined to have this exhibit."

The Parnelli praise – and jokes – continued well into the evening. The three Agajanian brothers, J.C., Cary and Chris, whose dad was the famous race promoter, told everyone that Parnelli was like a brother to them. They joked they were jealous of him because "our dad loved him so much." Chris Agajanian said, "Parnelli is a legend. He's historical and sometimes hysterical."

PJ Jones, one of Parnelli's two sons, had a lot of fun describing what it's like to be his son. PJ told a story about he got into a lot of fights and trouble in three-quarter midget division and had to go to a disciplinary hearing. Parnelli drove him, but on the way they got into a near-brawl at a gas station about an overcharge … of a penny! PJ said it got so bad, Parnelli took off his cowboy boots and was swinging them at the gas station owner. The cops finally arrived and settled things down. PJ said he was late to his disciplinary meeting and they asked, what happened? "Don't even ask," he replied. Then PJ broke up the crowd by saying, "I learned all my family values from my dad."

Former competitors such as Dan Gurney acknowledged Parnelli's talent and competitiveness. "He was always a problem for me. Parnelli gave me things to reach for. I take my hat off to you, Parnelli. Well done."

Jones, right, signed autographs for many fans.

One of the many highlights of the evening was Bobby Unser, who told humorous but insightful stories about how Parnelli helped break into racing and deal with Andy Granatelli and others. "Parnelli had a lot to do with my life because my life was racing," said Unser, who also thanked Wally Parks for "including roundy-rounds in the museum." Unser also said Parnelli was one of his heroes and the best natural race driver he's ever known. "He's a good friend and always will be." He said Parnelli was smart to stop racing, saying "good drivers die early and bad ones like me last a long time."

After Unser, Parnelli took the stage to a standing ovation. "It's great to be here," he said. Parnelli poked fun at the museum staff who took several items from his and Vel's personal collection. Turning serious on the emotional evening, Parnelli looked over the audience and saw Ljepa Miletich, wife of his old friend and partner, Vel Miletich. "If it wasn't for Vel, who we lost in 1998, we wouldn't have the cars or memorabilia. It's nice that the museum has given us credit and did something with mine and Vel's name on it. I love you all."

Then Parnelli personally guided the 250 or so attendees to the opening of the incredible exhibit. "Vel would have loved it," he said.

The Salute to Parnelli Jones exhibit runs through Aug. 31 at The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST, with extended hours during NHRA national events. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 60 and older, $3 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://www.nhra.com/museum.

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