1964 – Jones Takes Checkered at Wentzville

Rufus "Parnelli" Jones

Wentzville, Mo. (October 4, 1964) – Parnelli Jones captured the $15,000 Mid-America Raceway’s 200-mile late model stock car Sunday afternoon.

The 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner, driving a 1964 Mercury Marauder, was in command throughout the United States Auto Club-sanctioned event. His winning time for the 71 laps over the 2.8-mile road course was 2 hours and 36.8 minutes.

A crowd estimated at 25,000 got perhaps it’s biggest kick out of the fight for second place amongst a couple of drivers, with A.J. Foyt, the reigning king of auto racing, and Norm Nelson were the two key participants.

Foyt would wind up fourth with Nelson finishing just head of Don White.

Bobby Marshman began as though he intended to give Jones a contest but encountered a broken wheel cylinder on the 14th lap and steered off the course. Into a field and coming to a rest on top of rocks.

Marshman solicited some help from nearby spectators and got back on course but was unable to get back into contention.

Jones, who received $5,000 for his victory, said he liked the course, which was the site for stock car racing for the very first time.

“It was handling well,” he said. “I got a lot better run than I thought I would. With 32 stock cars going, I thought it would be a bit narrow.”

“That first turn, you better go into it single-file, or at least have respect for each other.”


Results –


1. Parnelli Jones, Torrance, Calif.
2. Norm Nelson, Racine, Wis.
3. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
4. A.J. Foyt, Houston, Tex.
5. Lloyd Ruby, Wichita Falls, Tex.
6. Whitey Gerken, Melrose Park, Ill.
7. Rodger Ward, Indianapolis
8. Bob Slensby, Pewaukee, Wis.
9. Roger Regeth, Kimberly, Wis.
10.Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.