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Benny Parsons inducted into N.C. Racing Hall of Fame
Larry Sullivan/Mooresville Tribune
Don Miller, Terri Parsons with honoree’s official bust
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Published: November 28, 2008
For several years, Benny Parsons was a special invited guest of the Mooresville-based North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
As of earlier this fall, he is now a permanent family member.
The late Parsons, who passed away early last year, filled the role of master of ceremonies for the annual NCARHOF induction ceremonies almost from the outset of the facility's events until his declining health forced him to vacate that responsibility.
At this fall's 12th annual celebration, Parsons was picked as the one to be enshrined.
"It just seems only natural," assured Bobby Allison, a fellow shrine entry and behind-the-wheel competitor who served as the newest selection's official presenter, "that Benny enter this Hall of Fame."
That sentiment was echoed by the night's current emcee, in Mooresville's Mike Joy, who stepped in to take over those duties for Parsons just a couple of years ago.
"They asked me to take his place just for a little while,'' recalled Joy, also a broadcaster, "I was hoping that would be the case. Just look at all the lives he touched. Where would they all be in the sport without Benny's advice is hard to say."
Born and raised in Wilkes County, Parsons emerged as a true ambassador of the sport of stock car racing through a number of outlets. He was a successful driver who then went on to fashion an award-winning career as a television and radio broadcaster and commentator.
So widespread was his ability, the North Carolina Legislature filed on his behalf a resolution earmarking and highlighting his multitude of successes. That resolution was read in its entirety to all attending this year's induction ceremony by Mooresville's Karen Ray, a member of the state's governing body.
In addition to Allison, Joy and Ray, among other notables taking turns at the podium in the Charles Mack Citizen Center that once again served as the host of the annual event included Mooresville Mayor Bill Thunberg and NCARHOF Chairman Don Miller.
The night came complete during Parsons' admission that a new attraction in the form of a Walk of Fame will also be in place to recognize all Hall inductees. The project has a completion date of early May, it also in place along the sidewalk in front of the CMCC.
Rumors were dispelled that Parsons never did actually drive taxis for his family-owner service during a brief stay in the Detroit area, but by working on those cars to keep them running and perhaps taking them for a test spin, it may have well set him on the path to the track.
He first made his mark by claiming consecutive series championships in the ARCA division both in 1968 and again in 1969. He was the first ARCA champion to be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.
Parsons followed up that success by continuing it in the NASCAR Winston Cup – now Sprint Cup – series. He captured that premier stock car racing division's championship in 1973, earning the respect of his fellow peers in the process.
Parsons claimed a total of 21 Cup wins, among them the Daytona 500 in 1975 that is used to gauge all driver's personal resume. He also won the 1980 World 600 among his many wins.
He upped the speed bar personally when he became the first stock car driver to surpass the 200 miles-per-hour barrier when hitting that mark on the speedometer during qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway in 1982.
He retired from driving following the 1988 season, but in no way did that decision slow down his presence in the sport. If fact, it may have merely sped it up.
Parsons continued to stay involved by working as a television and radio analyst for the races. That, too, produced rapid results.
Parsons was awarded with an ESPN Emmy Award in 1996. He gathered in another Emmy Award in 2006 for outstanding sport series, "NASCAR on NBC/TNT." He was additionally awarded the National Motor Sports press Association Award.
Other distinctions claimed by the colorful commentator included the State of North Carolina's Order of the Long Leaf Pine, as well as the N.C. Motorsports Association's Achievement n Motorsports Tribute Award in 2007.
Parsons was also listed on the roster of those named as one of the top 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR history, which was revealed in 1998.
For his career spanning 1964-88, Parsons appeared in 526 races, winning the 21 times and logging in with 195 placements in the top five spots and winding up with 283 showings in a field's top 10.
Due to complications resulting in treatments for lung cancer, Parsons passed away Jan. 16, 2007, at the age of 65. He remains survived by two sons as well as a wife, Terri, the latter on hand to personally accept the plaque presented as the most recent NCARHOF inductee.
"I want to say thanks to all on behalf of all the Parsons family," noted Terri Parsons. "Benny loved every minute of his life. Again, thank you all."
With the official induction of Parsons, he joins the list of NCARHOF entries that also includes Richard Petty, Allison, Tim Flock, Junior Johnson, William H.G. France, Ned Jarrett, Cale Yarborough, Ralph Moody Jr., Dale Earnhardt, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, and, just last year, Buddy Baker.
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