Benny Parson

[memike]

Best Loved: Benny Parsons Has past on
It's unfortunate that it sometimes takes a bit of adversity for us to realize how much we cherish others. Thankfully, this past year we were all able to express that to our good friend Benny Parsons. Known over the years as Buffet Benny; or the guy with a hundred bucks for any team taking fuel and four tires in under 13 seconds; or merely the best eyes in the booth, able to spot the most obscure piece of debris and correctly identify its name and relevance to a race car from 200 yards away, Benny has long been one of our favorites. Remember the telestrator pen and the subsequent signs that could be seen in the stands, "Hey Benny -- Circle ME!" While appreciating his title as a past champion, we mostly loved Benny for the fun he brings to the sport and in my living room.
We will miss him.

 

[memike]

Parsons, 65, died at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., and was the second NASCAR champion to die in the past 10 days. Bobby Hamilton, a former Cup driver and the 2004 Craftsman Trucks champion, also died of cancer.

Parsons was diagnosed with cancer about six months ago, yet still managed to broadcast numerous races during the second half of the season for TNT and NBC as he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

He suffered complications though, which destroyed his left lung and caused breathing difficulties.

Close friends like Penske Racing president Don Miller knew Parsons was in ''serious trouble'' in recent weeks but hoped Parsons, known as ''B.P.'' in NASCAR circles, would pull through.

Many drivers and team owners were somber during a lunch break from preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway, calling Parsons' death a tremendous loss.

''He was loved by all and hated by none,'' veteran Mark Martin said.

Said three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip in a statement: ``Benny Parsons was the kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known. He was almost too nice to be a race car driver, and I say that as a compliment.''

 

[mopars0]

RIP.... Benny

Will will miss ya !!!!!

 

[Coyote Jack]

He was a class act, amongst a bunch of fools.

RIP BP


Jack

 

[2shelbys]

He will be missed. He and Buddy Baker were always my favorite commentators before I got sick of NASCAR's B.S. and stopped watching back in July of 2004.

 

[65Val]

....and Neil Bonnett!!!!.....A GREAT color guy!

He will be missed. He and Buddy Baker were always my favorite commentators before I got sick of NASCAR's B.S. and stopped watching back in July of 2004.