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The Cars of Vel Miletich and Parnelli Jones

2013, 120 minutes

From automotive documentary film maker Dean Kirkland. Historic footage as well as recent interviews from Parnelli, Jim Dilamarter and a variety of of other well know mechanics and drivers like Dario Franchitti and Mario Andretti. They tell the stories of

From automotive documentary film maker Dean Kirkland. Historic footage as well as recent interviews from Parnelli, Jim Dilamarter and a variety of of other well know mechanics and drivers like Dario Franchitti and Mario Andretti. They tell the stories of how Vel Miletich, Parnelli Jones, and their Vel's Parnelli Jones (VPJ) Racing team of drivers, engineers, designers, fabricators and mechanics dominated the American automobile racing scene of the 1970s. From Jones's humble early career, to the pinnacle of motorsports: back to-back Indianapolis 500 race wins and three consecutive United States Auto Club National Championships. The name "Parnelli Jones" is synonymous with the sport of auto racing. Best known as the winning entrant at Indianapolis with Al Unser and the Johnny Lightning Specials in 1970 and 1971, the Vel Miletich/Parnelli Jones team eventually encompassed several different disciplines of motorsport. In addition to running what was then the USAC National Championship circuit, they were also fielding cars in USAC Silver Crown dirt track events, Formula 5000 events on road courses, NHRA drag racing, off-road racing and even Formula One. When the opportunity arose in 2012 for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation to acquire many of the cars from the beautifully preserved Vel/Parnelli collection, the Foundation board members had no hesitation with making that acquisition. Although these cars are ideally viewed in person at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, this film will certainly whet one's appetite for this most amazing collection. Intercut interviews, historic footage and in-studio photography by Dean Kirkland of the cars before they left Southern California to their new home at the Indianapolis 500 Museum.