Parnelli Jones, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1963, died Tuesday in Torrance, California at the age of 90.

Jones, a native of Arkansas who was raised in Southern California, became the first driver to qualify for the Indy 500 at a speed in excess of 150mph. He also is the only driver to lead the race twice for 400 or more miles, according to the IndyCar series.

He took part in seven Indianapolis 500 races and led for 171 of the first 196 laps in 1967 before a ball bearing broke three laps from the finish.

Jones retired as an Indy car driver in 1968 at age 34 but co-owned the team that won the Indy 500 in 1970 and 1971 with Al Unser behind the wheel.

‘The racing world has lost a great competitor and a true champion,’ read a statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske.