For those of you who follow NASCAR, this is a very sad time. Benny was a great driver and race analyst for the series for many years. His presence will be missed by everyone in the NASCAR community. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Parsons family and the entire NASCAR community. God Speed Benny.

Read the entire article at nascar.com

Benny Parsons, who charmed television audiences with his folksy demeanor as much as he impressed fans with his ability as a driver, died Tuesday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte following complications from lung disease. He was 65.

The former self-proclaimed Detroit taxi driver-turned-NASCAR racer never forgot his humble rural North Carolina roots, and it came through in every aspect of his life.

Even though he gained fame as the 1973 Winston Cup champion and winner of the 1975 Daytona 500, Parsons understood that as a broadcast analyst, it was his job to aim the spotlight away from himself.

"I heard someone say this one time and I thought it was fabulous," Parsons said. "Everyone can't be stars. Someone has to sit on the sidewalk and clap as they go by.

"We announcers on TV that talk about sports are simply the people sitting on the sidewalk clapping as the parade goes by. We are no longer the stars. The guys on the racetracks and in football and basketball games -- those are the stars."

 

You will be missed BP.

 

RIP Benny.

Also, Bobby Hamilton passed away on January 7.

 

Bennys dead?!?!?! NO!! I liked Benny.

 

Wow, with Nascar just gearing up next month he will definately be missed.

 

RIP BP ! We will always remember you!

 

I recall his excitement about Toyota coming in and the Car of Tomorrow. It's sad he will miss it, but I'm sure he will be watching. RIP Benny.

 

For those that are interested, there is an online guestbook you can sign for his family.

http://www.legacy.com/Charlotte/GB/G...sonId=86030758