Parsons hospitalized in intensive care unit

[kbsooner21]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Former NASCAR champion Benny Parsons remained in intensive care Friday at Carolinas Medical Center after entering the hospital nearly two weeks ago because of complications stemming from lung cancer.

The 1973 Winston Cup champion was diagnosed with cancer in his left lung in July and declared in October that he had beaten it. But he was unable to attend a ceremony in November in New York to accept the Myers Brothers Award for contributions to the sport.

"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," said a statement issued on behalf of Parsons by Performance Racing Network.

Parsons, a NASCAR television commentator, has a weekly show on the radio network.

Parsons was selected one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers in 1998, 10 years after his retirement. He won 21 races in 526 starts, including the 1975 Daytona 500.

He finished no lower than fifth in the points from 1972 to 1980 while earning more than $4 million. He also won ARCA titles in 1968-69.

He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994, and the National Motorsports Press Association's Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame in 1995.

[Ldawg]

Our thoughts and prayers will be with Benny and his family !
Hope that he will bounce back from this thing ... but it sounds like he is a couple of laps down

God Bless Benny Parsons !!



Parsons was born at his parents' rural home in Wilkes County and eventually moved to Detroit, where he worked at a gas station and a cab company owned by his father. After winning back-to-back ARCA titles in 1968-69, he returned to North Carolina in Ellerbe to become a full-time racer, often listing "taxicab driver" as his occupation on entry forms.

He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994, and the National Motorsports Press Association's Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame in 1995.

Parsons began his broadcasting career in the 1980s as a pit reporter for ESPN and TBS, when he was still racing a partial schedule. He moved into the booth for good in 1989 for ESPN and won a Cable ACE Award for best sports analyst.

He said he hoped to remain in the booth for years to come.

"To all those people out there who say 'I hate this for Benny,' well, the doctors say its winnable and I hope I'll be in their living rooms for a long, long time," he said.

[kbsooner21]

Parsons stabilized, yet condition still critical

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Benny Parsons remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Carolinas Medical Center, but his condition has not changed since the weekend, his family said on Tuesday.

Parsons, 65, is listed as critical, but his condition has stabilized. He continues to fight complications brought on by treatments for lung cancer.

Parsons revealed in July that he has lung cancer. Treatments caused him to miss several races in his job as an analyst for NBC/TNT.

In October, Parsons announced that his cancer was in full remission. Even so, his health began to decline as the year came to an end. He was unable to attend the Nextel Cup Awards Ceremony in early December, and he was re-admitted to the hospital on Dec. 26.

Parsons, the 1973 Cup champion, has long been one of NASCAR's most visible and popular personalities. Parsons also hosted a talk show every Monday evening on PRN.

Parsons is not allowed visitors at this time, but fans and associates can continue to send him messages at [email protected].

[TheRook]

Unfortunately, he passed away today.


god bless him and his family.

[Ldawg]

So sorry to hear of Benny's passing ... he was really one of the best . God bless Benny Parsons ,our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in their time of need !

[Kaptain]

hate to hear that----he was a good guy, and good for racing....he'll be setting the pace on the Oval track in Heaven now..........My prayers are with him and his family....kapt