Winner of the rain-hit 1950 race, Parsons later became Chief Steward for the USAC midget division on the West Coast in the early 1970's. However Johnnie started his life in vaudeville with his parents, and as a toddler took part in an act called the Dancing Parsons. When his parents separated, Johnnie moved to be with his uncle, who rented garages to a number of racing drivers, including Frank Lockhart. Parsons then naturally got into racing. In his early racing days, Johnnie also worked as a welder and in an aircraft factory. He won the 1948 AAA Midwest Midget Car series, the 1956 USAC Pacific Coast Midget title and the 1949 National Champ Car Championship. He finally retired in 1959, and as well as his stewardship role, he kept links with the sport through a number of assocations and businesses, until his death from a heart-attack.

Biography last updated 15 Aug 2015