Greatest Racecar? Parnelli Jones’ 1963 Willard Battery Spl.

I’ve been associated with many great racecars over the years, and for the most part Indycars. I’m particularly proud of the 1970 and ’71 Johnny Lightning cars that Al (Unser) Senior drove and won with. In 1971, Mark Donohue in the Penske McLaren was seen by many as the clear favorite, but he didn’t get the pole and didn’t win the race. Al drove a great race to become a member of that special group of “back to back” winners.

Of course, my favorite car has to be my roadster, the Agajanian’s Willard Battery Special—this has to be my greatest racecar. It was a Watson chassis with an Offy engine, and we won the Indy 500. Looking back at that ’63 win, I really had some unfinished business. I thought I should have won in 1962, I was the first driver to qualify at a speed over 150 mph, and was the clear leader for the first 300 miles—I was very dominant, long gone, then I lost the brakes. The two pit stops cost me dearly. I finished in 7th with no brakes, or brains!! I should have won that race, it was such a simple thing that cost so much. So, for 1963 I was real fired up.