Benny Parsons (2 Viewers)

[ProStockJunkie]

I know it's "thatcar" not NHRA, but I thought I'd pass this along anyway.

Benny Parsons undergoing lung cancer treatment
Benny Parsons, the 1973 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion and current analyst for
NBC television and Performance Racing Network radio, is undergoing treatment
for lung cancer.

Parsons, 65, experienced difficulty breathing and, after consulting with
physicians, was informed he had the disease. His treatment started
immediately.


"Needless to say this was a huge shock," Parsons said in a news release.
"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/TNT's coverage of 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," Parsons said. "I
plan to keep on talking about racing for as long as I can."

A joint statement issued by NBC/TNT stated that "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."

The statement also said that Parsons had not originally been scheduled to
work this weekend's Busch Series race at Gateway International Raceway but
that he plans to be working the Aug. 6 Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway.

An unattributed question and answer section of the release asked what would happen if Parsons were unable to return this season.

"It is too early for us to even consider that scenario. We will continue to
support Benny through his recovery and continue to bring them NASCAR
coverage through the conclusion of the Chase."

The release also said this would not rule out Parsons returning to TNT next
season, when the cable network will broadcast races but NBC will not.

"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."

Friends and fans wishing to send words of encouragement to Parsons can do so by e-mailing him at [email protected] or on a special message board at
NASCAR.com.

 

[DrRocket]

That's too bad. I've always liked Benny. Both, when he was driving, and later while he was announcing. I've sent along my best wishes. Hope he recovers from this. My uncle died from it. It was no fun.

Does anyone remember that prize he was offering pit crews? I think he said he would personally give each pit crew member something like $200 cash out of his own pocket if they changed four tires and poured two cans of gas in 12 seconds or less during a green flag pit stop during a NASCAR race. They even had a trophy of sorts made. Did anyone ever win it?

 

[none]

Seems to me he payed off a couple of times.