R. I. P. Benny Parsons
Benny Parsons passed away today at the Intensive Care Unit of the Carolinas Medial Center in Charlotte, NC. Parsons entered the hospital Dec. 26 as the result of complications stemming from his battle with lung cancer.
The cancer was diagnosed earlier this year and was recently reported to be in full remission.
Benny Parson’s passing comes closer to home than most of the greats and near greats that take the final checkered flag. Benny’s rise to the top is very much part of my long dedication to the sport.
At the top of stock car racings ladder Parson’s entered NASCAR’s premier circuit in 1970, winning his first Cup race in 1971 at South Boston Speedway. Parsons captured the 1973 Cup championship in dramatic fashion, narrowly edging Cale Yarborough for the title. Parsons made 526 career starts earning 199 top-5 finishes and 283 top-10s, including 21 victories and 20 pole awards.
Prior to that he competed in the ARCA Series winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1965 and reigned as its Champion in 1968 and 1969 with a career total of 16 ARCA national event wins (Commonly called ARCA “New Cars” as opposed to the ARCA sanctioned Late Models locally).
Both Benny’s career and my acute infection as a “Left Turn Loony” had the same beginning. When Benny started his career at Mount Clemons Speedway and the one mile dirt oval Motor City Speedway I was there.
In the pre-race pits, the grandstands and the post-race pits I was there kicking hot tires and passionately booing the near universally “hated” Jack Goodwin at Mount Clemons and Joy Fair at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways.
That “hate” was never extended to Benny Parsons. He never dominated any series to such an extend that raised the ire of fans to that level. Benny was very dedicated to what he did. He went about his chosen avocation as a driver, and later broadcaster and race analyst, in competent, workman-like professional fashion.
It’s sounds cliche, but Benny was a “racers”, racer and I suspect if asked of those he worked with a “broadcasters” broadcaster.
Full Throttle sends its condolences to family, friends and fans of Benny.
R. I. P. Benny Parsons.
(NOTE: Image is taken of the high-banks of Dayton Speedway where Benny earned 4 victories including a grueling 500-lapper there on September 8th, 1968)
UPDATE: By far the best tribute I’ve read so far is one from Southern Cindi, it’s a must read.
On a different, but related note: Remember the two ESPN “bloggers” I ragged on a few days ago? Let the blogger “impeachment proceedings” begin.
Both are apparently too busy to note the passing of one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers. In fact one hasn’t posted since 11 Jan and the other posted twice in the last two days, one on Jeffery Earnhardt the second on NASCAR testing.
What’s that saying? Oh yea… You’re Fired!!!
ARCA, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Sports, Benny Parsons, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
This morning when I read that BP had passed away, I was shocked, but his brother did say that he was in rough or bad shape. One thing I looked forward to every Cup race that NBC and TNT did was Benny in the booth, he did a great job and he was spot on everytime.
I’m still shocked over Bobby Hamilton passing away last week.
R.I.P Bobby & Benny.
Frankly, sorry to say, I wasn’t surprised.
After his latest hospital stay reached the 4-5 day mark it was obvious, at best, he wouldn’t be in the booth again, and unfortunately the worst occurred.
He led an exemplary life his family should be proud of and the rest of us can hope to emulate and marvel at.