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One of the toughest, fastest, most determined and versatile drivers to ever grace motorsport has left us, aged 90. Rufus Parnell Jones, born in Texarkana, Ark., in 1933, died of natural causes on J…
Renowned American racing legend Rufus Parnell Jones, also known as Parnelli Jones, passed away at the age of 90. Born in Texarkana, Ark. in 1933, Jones died on June 4 in Torrance, Calif., where he had lived from a young age. Parnelli was considered one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history, with a legacy comparable to A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Dan Gurney. Known for his speed and versatility, he was a dominant force on both dirt tracks and NASCAR circuits in the 1950s and 1960s. Despite humble beginnings in jalopies in California, Jones rose to fame and success in the motorsport world, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.