Benny Parsons Bio

• Born July 12th, 1941 in Wilkes County, North Carolina
• Benny passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 16th, 2007 at the age of 65 due to complications resulting from treatments for lung cancer
• Benny has been laid to rest at Rendezvous Ridge Vineyard in Purlear, North Carolina. He is buried behind his childhood home where he grew up with his grandmother, “Mama Julia”, on landed deeded as a family cemetery.
• Terri Parsons, his beloved wife, loyal friend and biggest fan currently lives at Rendezvous Ridge Vineyard in order to see Benny’s dream to completion.
• Benny is survived by two sons, Kevin and Keith Parsons

 

• Two granddaughters, Emily and Libbie
• Started racing in 1963 at Mt. Clemens Speedway
• AUTOMOBILE RACING CLUB OF AMERICA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR in 1965 (ARCA)
• ARCA Champion 1968 and 1969
• First ARCA Champion inducted into The International Sports Hall of Fame
• Joined NASCAR in 1970
• First Winston Cup victory was at South Boston Virginia Speedway in 1971

• Winston Cup Champion in 1973
• Winner of Daytona 500 in 1975
• First person to every qualify a stock car over 200mph record holder
• Retired from competition immediately following the 1988 season
• Joined ESPN as a RACE ANALYST in 1989
• ACE AWARD winner

• Has a cookbook: BUFFET BENNY’S FAMILY RECIPES
• Former host of nationally syndicated radio show on Performance Racing Network called “FAST TALK WITH BENNY PARSONS”
• Inducted into The International Motor Sports Hall of Fame in December of 1994
• 1996 ESPN Emmy Award Winner
• 1998 named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR History
• Announcer and Color Commentator for NASCAR on NBC & TNT
• 21 Victories

• $3.9 million in Career Earnings
• Per Don Naman, Executive Director of The International Sports Hall of Fame, “Out of 526 NASCAR events, Benny finished in the Top 10 283 times and in the Top 5 199 times, making him one of the most consistent drivers in recent history.”
• Inducted into The Motor Sports Hall of Fame of America August 2006
• North Carolina Motor Sports Industry Life Time Tribute Award 2007
• State Of North Carolina Order Of The Long Leaf Pine 2007
• National Motor Sports Press Association Award 2007
• Meyers Brothers Award 2006
• Won a Sports Emmy for outstanding live sports series "NASCAR on NBC/TNT" 2006
• Honored by having highway 421 renamed to Benny Parsons Highway