UPDATE “The passing of Benny Parsons is a phenomenal loss, not only for the sport of NASCAR, but for the Turner Sports family as well. Benny was one of the most personable guys I’ve ever met and his genuine commitment and love for NASCAR made him one of the sports' greatest ambassadors. He was truly a class act. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who mourns his loss. He will be missed."
David Levy, Turner Sports president
“Today the TNT family lost a very special person with the passing of Benny Parsons. He was a friend, a colleague and a wonderful person to all those around him, and over the past six years Benny served as the rock of TNT's NASCAR family, on both a professional and personal level. It has truly been our honor to develop a deep friendship with him. He was a genuine person with a big heart that enjoyed all life had to offer. We express our sincere condolences to Benny’s family, NASCAR and all those in the NASCAR community that knew and loved him, he will be deeply missed."
Jeff Behnke, Turner Sports executive producer
"Benny Parsons is not only the person I owe my NASCAR career to but he was a true friend to me from the day we met. I will always appreciate his friendship and what he did for me. Knowing he's not going to be there to come up and ask me how things are going when I walk into the garage at Daytona is probably the hardest thing to accept. Everytime I think about how lucky I am to have the job and the life I have, I think of BP because he's the reason I ever got this opportunity. I will miss him a lot, as we all will. BP and his family are in my thoughts and prayers."
Greg Biffle
"Everyone at Roush Racing is saddened by the passing of Benny Parsons. Benny was a great friend and supporter of Roush Racing and he will be greatly missed. He was an outstanding ambassador for NASCAR and the sport of racing who was a champion both on and off the track. On behalf of everyone at Roush Racing I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Parsons family."
Jack Roush
01/16/07 "Benny Parsons was the kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known," said Darrell Waltrip. "He was almost too nice to be a race car driver and I say that as a compliment.
In my 30 odd years of racing Benny Parsons, I never knew of anyone being mad at Benny.
Some of my fondest memories in racing were racing Benny. In the Coca Cola 600, we had a whale of a battle and it was one of the best races ever held at Charlotte.
One of the funniest was in the 1981, Bud Shootout. I passed Benny on the apron at the start-finish line to win the race. Benny said 'you can’t do that!' I said, 'I didn’t see any out-of-bounds markers!' You sure couldn’t do that today.
Benny Parsons was a great champion, a great ambassador for our sport but more than that, he was a great person. He exemplified that good guys can be winners too.
Stevie, the girls and I pray for Terri, Phil and the entire Parsons family to find the strength to get through this." Darrell Waltrip
“I am extremely saddened after hearing the news this morning. Benny was a special person and anyone who came in contact with him knew it. He was one of the most genuine and generous individuals I’ve ever met. He was a great racecar driver, broadcaster and friend. I will miss him very much." Jeff Gordon