During a 10-year span in the late 1960s and early ’70s, Indy cars designed, built and prepared in the Vel’s Parnelli Jones racing shop in Torrance dominated open-wheel racing. Vel Miletich, a Torrance car dealer, and Parnelli Jones, a Torrance native who
won the Indianapolis 500 in 1963, were partners in VPJ enterprises, continuing an association that began in 1956 when Miletich sponsored the young jalopy driver in local
races.

Their Johnny Lightning cars, driven by Al Unser, won Indianapolis 500s in 1970 and 1971. In addition to Unser’s back-to-back Indy wins, VPJ entries won 51 other Indy car races with such drivers as Mario Andretti, Kevin Cogan, A.J. Foyt, Joe Leonard, Danny Ongais, and Parnelli Jones; winning three U.S. Auto Club championships along the way.

When the team was comprised of Indy 500 winners Unser and Andretti, and national champion Leonard at the same time, Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing was often referred to as the “Super Team.”

In addition to Indy cars, the Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing team enjoyed success in many other forms of motorsports, including: Formula 1, Formula 5000, dirt cars, top fuel dragsters, funny cars, and an off-road ‘Baja’ program. However, the team is best
remembered for its USAC Championship Series performances…
• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team started 276 National
Championship races

• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team cars Qualified fastest 47 times

• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team cars finished:
First………….53 times
Second …….27 times
Third ……….20 times

• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team cars finished:
First……………2 times………Indianapolis 500
Second ………2 times……… Indianapolis 500
Third …………2 times……….Indianapolis 500
First …………..3 times……….Pocono 500
Second ………1 time…………Pocono 500
First …………..2 times……….Ontario 500
Second ………2 times……….Ontario 500

• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team drivers won
3 National Driving Championships

• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team drivers won
2 National Dirt Car Championships

• Vel’s Parnelli Jones Team drivers won
3 Triple Crowns