1973 NASCAR Champion Benny Parsons Battling Lung Cancer
CONCORD, N.C. (July 26, 2006) – Benny Parsons is all about winning. He’s the 1973 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion; a Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 winner; and, in recent years, has emerged as one of NASCAR’s leading television and radio commentators.
Now, Parsons is calling upon that winning attitude as he battles lung cancer.
Parsons, 65, had experienced difficulty breathing and, after consulting with physicians, was informed by his family doctor, Dr. Scott Moss of Charlotte, that he has the disease. His treatment regimen starts immediately.
“Needless to say this was a huge shock,” said Parsons. “I’ve got a great deal of faith in all of my physicians, including Dr. Steven Limenpani, who treated NASCAR car owner Rick Hendrick during his battle with leukemia. I’m determined to pull through this and I appreciate everyone’s concerns and prayers during this time.
“The first thing everyone asks me is, ‘are you a smoker?’ The answer is that I smoked my last cigarette way back in 1978 and since then I’ve hated being around smoking. I don’t even allow anyone in my foursome to smoke on the golf course.”
Parsons is an analyst on NBC and TNT’s coverage of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing and hosts “Fast Talk with Benny Parsons” on the Performance Racing Network. He plans to continue his duties with NBC/TNT and PRN throughout his treatment.
“Everyone I work with has been gracious and accommodating,” said Parsons. “I plan to keep on talking about racing for as long as I can.”
Friends and fans wishing to send words of encouragement to Parsons can do so by e-mailing him at bp@goprn.com or on a special message board at www.NASCAR.com.
Joint NBC/TNT Statement Regarding
NASCAR Analyst Benny Parsons
“Benny is an important part of our television families. We respect his privacy and will support him in any way we can in his efforts to get well.”
Question & Answer
Q. When will Benny be returning to the booth?
A. Benny has begun treatment and was not scheduled to work this weekend. He plans to be in the booth at The Brickyard as scheduled.
Q. Will you replace him if he is unable to return?
A. It is too early for us to even consider that scenario. We will continue to support Benny through his recovery, and bring continue to bring them NASCAR coverage through the conclusion of the Chase.
Q. Does this rule out Benny being an analyst for TNT next season?
A. Our thoughts are with Benny as he faces this latest challenge in his life. That being said, we will always have a place on our NASCAR telecasts for Benny Parsons.
From Turner Sports
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