Benny Parsons Hospitalized
Written by John Davison · January 5, 2007
Benny Parsons Hospitalized at Carolinas Medical Center
CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 5, 2007) - 1973 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Benny Parsons is currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Parsons, who became a popular television and radio personality after retiring from driving in 1988, entered the hospital Dec. 26 as the result of complications stemming from his battle with lung cancer.
The cancer was diagnosed early last year and was recently reported to be in full remission.
Parsons’ family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from fans and the NASCAR community and they encourage everyone to keep Benny in their thoughts and prayers. Parsons is not allowed visitors at this time, but fans and associates can continue to send him messages at bp@goprn.com.
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[Opinion alert:] For those who don’t know or remember, Parsons was always recognized by his fellow competitors as a clean racer and good guy. My first exposure to him was watching him sign a long trail of autographs for a huge gang of Boy Scouts at Rockingham one year. A couple of years later, he started showing up at an art gallery reception held by a friend’s business. (Yes, Benny was interested, plus, it was automotive art!) “BP” spent a lot of his day in the back room, chatting with my mother, who did the catering for these receptions, and nibbling on the goodies. He was always friendly, pleasant and helpful, at least as much so as his schedule allowed.
He still greets friends and acquaintances, even if he doesn’t (never did get my name right!) remember their names correctly. If anyone in racing deserves to pull through an illness, it’s Benny.
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Lest we forget, Benny drove a potent Ford (argghhh!?) stock car (#98 I believe) for years at Mt. Clemens Speedway when it was dirt; Benny is one of our local guys in Detroit!
527405-my prayers are with you bp.may god bless you thru this.
BP, our prayers are with you friend. Daytona is only a month & a half away we need you in the booth. God bless you, get well soon.
all our prayers are with you, god bless. have been a fan since mt clemens. thanks for always being warm and genuine when you ran into fans in the pits
Benny,our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.Hurry back, We need your voice. We need your unique outlook on racing to keep the other guys straight in the booth.Much love and best wishes for a speedy return to the track.
867135 Benny our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Castlewood Virginia can’t wait to hear your voice again with that unique outlook you have on racing. May God bless you and your family.
John, thanks for the personal insights that millions of us never have the opportunity to witness or enjoy on a first hand basis. Here’s hoping for nothing but positive outcomes for Benny and his family.
I want to wish nothing but the best for Benny Parsons. I grew up watching him race and always enjoy his commentary. I underwent an operation and subsequent radiation for cancer this past summer. My thoughts and prayers are withh Benny for a speedy and healthy recovery. I know we’ll be seeing or hearing him broadcasting soon.
Go Benny! Prayers to you.
May God bless Parsons and family during this time. Benny you are missed, lets get this behind us so we may continue to hear your forever excited commentations. God bless you Benny Parsons you are the best.
Hang in there Benny,we are all pullin for ya,see you in time for Daytona.Benny we are going to have a Texas BBQ tomorrow and dedicate it to you………the Wilson’s
get well soon bp daytona is coming my prayers are with you
Benny,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Get well and God Bless.
I WISH BENNY THE BEST. IN 1972 OR 1973 HE RACED AT AUTO CITY SPEEDWAY IN FLINT MICH. HE STEPPED INTO FRANK LAMP’S NEW CAR. HE WON THE FEATURE LAMP 2ND AND MY UNCLE KEN LINK CAME IN 3RD. WHAT A RACE ON 1/2 MILE HIGH BANK DIRT TRACK, GREAT!!! RACING THAT NIGHT!!!
BENNY:
WE WISH YOU ONLY THE BEST.
DON AND DONNA
BENNY, GOD HAS BLESSED YOU THROUGH LIFE, WE PRAISE HIM FOR THIS, AND ASK THAT IT BE HIS WILL THAT YOU HAVE A FULL RECOVERY. JAMES AND KAY
Benny,
I grew up watching you, the allison boys, cale yarborough, and the king.
My whole family is praying for your speedy recovery and just wanted you to know your in our thoughts.
god bless.
The Tuckers
Benny - our family is praying for you. may God bless you with peace, comfort, strength and encouragement as well as your family. Although you don’t know me, i used to work for a company that your rep agency dealt with in ky. The funny thing was it was way before i even got into racing and knew who you were. And, because of the kindness of one of your reps who sent us tickets to our first nascar race i became an “addict” to the sport! And it’s truly a family sport which means a lot to our “big” family. I pray you get better soon and hope to see you at Daytona.
All the best BP. The booth wouldnt be the same without you so we look forward to seeing you in 2007 after you and the grace of God beat this thing. Are prayers are with you and yours.
Get well soon Benny.
Cancer’s tough but you’re tougher.
All the best,
The Brewer clan
Benny we love you .. god bless you .. all our love and prayers.
BENNY
GOD BLESS, HURRY BACK SOON, LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACE, WHEN YOU GET BACK TO WORK. MY PRAYS ARE WITH YOU.
Hi Benny,
We have loved you for years and wish you the very best. Know we are praying for you and look forward to you being in the booth in 2007.
God Bless you Benny & your family. Always look forward to your comments on the air. Get well and come back soon. We need you.
Praying for your healthy return.
A fan, Ray Cate
Had the pleasure of meetin BP at Daytona and look forward to seein that smile at raceweek again ,God Bless Ya Benny !
Benny,
I am praying for you and your family. God Bless You and your family. Hope you have a
complete and speedy recovery. Praying for your healthy return to Daytona in February.
Mary
just a note to say get well to the most energetic person in nascar, who’s excitement is catchy!!!!!
Benny ,Im am praying for your recovery,and looking forward to your return to the race track
Wishing you a speedy recovery Benny. I am also going through chemo and kknow what a drain it is. You’re in my thoughts and prayers! God Bless and give you good health soon.
Benny,
You are in our thoughts & prayers in this difficult time in your life. Looking forward to your return to TV. Daytona is only a few weeks away. Stay Tough!!
Bonnie
We have enjoyed having your insight on all the races. We missed you when you were unable to work. We are praying we will see you this next season. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Bernice and Tom Cox
Benny and Family, Just know you are in my thoughts and most earnest prayers ! Get better Benny, and maybe you can show us the hat of the week again !
313121
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Get well soon, I am looking forward to seeing you on television again in the near future.
Dear Benny,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost both of my parents to cancer. hang in there, and know that people care about you as a person. William
to mr. bp you have always been the man ! and beat some of the best.now you have too beat the worst.so tighten them belts one last time.and lets go racein. boogity boogity boogity….. don`t ever give up hope I won`t best of the best to ya. alex
Benny you are in my prayers please hang in there and fight it
Benny, I’ve been fighting breast cancer almost as long as you have been fighting lung cancer. I plan to hang in there and win the fight, hope you do the same. In my prayers, I check every day to get an update on your condition.
To the family and friends of BP I am so sorry for the loss of this GREAT MAN.My prayers are with you.
With love,
Stephen Bissell
Today NASCAR lost the best race announcer/commentator they ever had in my opinion…
My deepest sympathy
goes out to Terri, and
all of Benny’s family
and friends.
We’ll miss you BP!!
To Benny’s Family, please accept my sincere condolences. I grew up in Wilkesboro and Benny was a legend around those parts. He’s with God now. I pray that God grants you comfort beyond understanding. You will be in my prayers.
To Benny’s family my sincere condolences he will be deeply missed.I allways enjoyed watching and listening to Benny.
To Benny’s family my
sincere condolences he will be missed. He was a
good man. I lost My Husband in October 06.
And we would listen to Benny on T.V. He will be
missed. He was a good
announcer and he was fair. God bless you all.
And may God comfort you all. you will be in my
prayers.
Sharon
To the Family of BP:
God bless you in this time of loss just as He has blessed Benny with family, friends, and faith. We know Benny is at peace and though your grief is inevitable, please remember God is watching over him now. Take care.
Kevin
BP…You were the classiest act in all of sports. How you managed to smile, week after week, while enduring that terrible chemo is beyond me.
Say hello to Dale from all of us.
To the friends and family of BP..There is now a void in the lives of all of us who admired Benny as a race car driver, TV commentator, and all around good human being. Watching Nascar on TV without BP will never be the same..My sympathy to all of you….
rip benny