EX-NASCAR Champ Benny Parsons Is Dead

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Benny Parsons, a former taxi driver turned NASCAR champion, died Tuesday from complications stemming from his short battle with lung cancer, his son Keith said. He was 65.

Parsons, the 1973 NASCAR champion, died in Charlotte, N.C., where he had been hospitalized since Dec. 26.

A member of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers, Parsons retired from racing in 1988 and moved into the broadcasting booth. He spent the past six years as a commentator on NBC and TNT, and continued to call races from the booth during his treatment.

www.msnbc.com

One of the greastet and best known voices in the world of motorsports has died at the age of 65. Benny Parsons past away this morning due to complications from his battle with lung cancer. Parson's, 1973 Wintson Cup Champion, spent the last eighteen years in the booth for ESPN, NBC, & TNT. Parsons is the second NASCAR personality to pass away in the past week. Just last week, long time NASCAR stand out, Bobby Hamilton lost his battle with throat cancer.

NASCAR and motorsports in general have lost two of the best men that a sport could ever have. They will be missed.

[edit on 1/16/2007 by gimmefootball400]

Sad news indeed... I always found BP's commentary to be insightful and never annoying (a trait lost on many play by play announcers). He was an icon when the sport was the purview of rednecks and hicks, but gracefully transitioned to the glitz of what NASCAR is today.

So long Benny...

It's just one very sad thing that we are gonna have to get used to. We are going to have to get used to not hearing him on the television anymore.

While I didn't really want to see BP dead, I can certainly say I will not miss him ruining a NASCAR broad cast. Isn't it funny when someone dies everyone says how great they were, the year he won his championship he only won one race, now of course my favorite driver only won one race when he won his championship too but most of his detractors are saying nothing but how great of a champion BP was. Good bye BP, someone will miss you but it won't be me.