In my den I have a wall of photos of drivers and cars who have won the 500. Most are from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. But one of the three I have from 1960 and later is of Parnelli Jones, he of that magical lap in 1962 that set the tone for the speeds we see today.

While he was a threat at every track he went to, and his name was on everyone’s mind, A. J. Foyt and Mario Andretti grabbed most of the headlines and endorsements in the early and mid 60s. But Parnelli Jones was arguably even more versatile than either Foyt or Andretti.

Jones, who died yesterday at the age of 90 after a long battle with Parkinson’s, won in Indycar, NASCAR, sprints, midgets, off-road, also found success as a car owner.

I was at Pole Day in 1962 when Jones drove the first official 150 mile an hour lap. Through the years I have been to many record setting pole days, but the roar from the crowd that day has never been matched. At the time 150 seemed like an unimaginable threshold. 200 miles an hour was just a matter of time after that.

Like Mario, Parnelli’s Indianapolis 500 should include at least two more victories. he had the field covered in 1962 until brake failure caused him to slow his pace and pit stops were difficult. Yet he somehow finished sixth.

Jones came back the next year, won the pole again, then won the race. In 1967, driving the controversial turbine, Jones was leading comfortably on lap 196 when a bearing failed, ending his day.

After he retired from driving, Jones came back to IMS as a car owner. Al Unser won in the Johnny Lightning Special owned by Panelli and Vel Melitich in 1970 and 1971.

Another legend from my racing childhood has gone, and I know more will pass in the next few years. If you were at the track this year and passed up chances to say hi to AL, Mario, or Johnny Rutherford, don’t make that mistake next year. Tell them what they mean to you.

Last night after the news broke, I was thinking I will be sad as I leave for Le Mans today. But the more I thought about it, I won’t be sad. It’s a cause for celebration. This is the perfect time to go. It’s a way to say thank you to Parnelli and the legends living and dead for their gift of a love of the sport