SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1522709
IN THE SPIRIT OF LEGENDS By Dan Sanchez Over the time I've been the editor of SCORE Journal Magazine, I've had the privilege of interviewing legendary racers as well as newcomers into the sport. With the recent passing of Parnelli Jones, I'm reminded of how people like him have changed off-road racing over the decades. Although Parnelli Jones is most known for dumping modified factory-built vehicles in favor of complete custom-built vehicles for Baja racing, his attitude towards the sport was also unique. Jones demonstrated that as a driver, he didn't quit, and at times got out and fixed his vehicles during a race. He had a willingness to go all out and do whatever it took to win. That may have cost him some race wins down the road, something he recognized when I interviewed him in 2017, but the spirit of his competitiveness is evident in some of the modern racers of our time. At the SCORE Baja 500, several racers had mechanical issues, flat tires, parts breaking, and much more thrown at them, but those with the same attitude of not quitting and doing everything in their power to get to the finish line. As an example, the 11x Pro Moto Unlimited team of Arturo Salas Jr., Ciaran Naran, and Carter Klein, each had their own difficulties on the course. The most impressive was Salas Jr. pushing his bike close to three miles after running out of fuel, to the team's pit. They ultimately won the race and it would have been much different if he had not been as determined. Likewise, SCORE Moto Champion Justin Morgan also showed that determination battling with the 11x team, also having to push his moto as he approached the finish line after he ran out of fuel and finished in second place. It was amazing to witness this level of determination, and as we put this SCORE Baja 500 race rewind issue together, there were similar stories across many classes. What Parnelli Jones did during his off-road racing career is not what these racers were most likely thinking about at the time, but I realized it's something that all SCORE Baja racers must face. While Jones is no longer with us, it's great to see that current racers with the same attitude that in some ways, keeps Parnelli Jones’ racing spirit alive as SCORE Off-Road Racing continues into the future.