PJ Jones on Shane Van Gisbergen Chicago Win: “It was amazing.” | SFM

Описание: In his recent casual conversation with PJ Jones, we talk about the New Zealander, Shane van Gisbergen and his Chicago win last year, and how Stadium Super Trucks need more races. Doug went to PJ’s Performance in Scottsdale to meet up with and have a casual conversation with PJ Jones about his motorsports career. It was a great interaction.

Parnell Jones, nicknamed "PJ" is the son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 champion, Parnelli Jones. Originally from southern California, PJ is best-known as a driver who competed in all forms of racing - IndyCar, sports-cars, NASCAR, and off-road. However, he was a driver who didn't really get the best opportunities to show his skills.

In the late-1990s, after starting off with off-road competition, PJ Jones signed with Dan Gurney and All-American Racing to drive in IndyCars for them. AAR had not competed in IndyCar since 1985, focusing primarily on sports-cars, and Dan Gurney had hoped to re-establish the team's IndyCar opportunities. However, it didn't go anywhere.

PJ Jones also competed for many years in NASCAR competition. Although he ran a handful of oval track races, PJ was known for his road course abilities. He nearly won at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity Series in 2000 only to be crashed by Butch Leitzinger within laps of the checkered flag, allowing Ron Fellows to win. PJ finished 8th at Watkins Glen in 1993 after a good run with the Melling Racing team.

PJ drove in the NASCAR Truck Series for Jimmy Smith's Ultra Motorsports team at sporadic points between 1995 to 2003. His best finish was a top ten at Homestead in the highly known Ford 200 where four drivers - Brendan Gaughan, Ted Musgrave, Dennis Setzer, and Travis Kvapil competed for the title. Kvapil won the championship, while PJ finished 9th. PJ also competed at Watkins Glen in 2002 for AJ Foyt Racing, and finished 4th at Watkins Glen in the Cup Series. PJ competed for Michael Waltrip Racing in the team's maiden season, at the two road course tracks in place of David Reutimann. PJ's best finish was 12th.

In the years after, PJ drove for JD Motorsports, Morgan-McClure Racing, Hall-Of-Fame Racing, and Robby Gordon Motorsports. He subbed for Robby Gordon at Pocono in 2007, and drove many years in the part-time RGM #04 and #77 cars. He finished up his NASCAR Cup Series career at Sonoma in 2011. He then drove some races in Stadium Super Trucks.

PJ also raced in the Indianapolis 500 two times, with a best-finish of 19th in 2006. He attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 2007 with a paint scheme resembling his father's turbine car in 1967. Although it was a tough choice, PJ chose to climb from the car and withdraw his entry after not finding the speed needed to compete in the race. His best finish in IndyCar competition was at Nazareth in 1999 when he drove for Pat Patrick.

Find PJ Jones at "PJ's Performance."