 In 1971, Leonard became a full-time driver at Vel's Parnelli Jones.When the season started, Leonard had no sponsor on his #15 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing PJ Colt-Ford for the season-opening pair of races, the Rafaela Indy 300 at Autódromo Ciudad de Rafaela.At the Phoenix 150 at Phoenix International Raceway, the car would be sponsored by Johnny Lightning, the same sponsor of teammate Al Unser.