gail Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Former NASCAR champion Benny Parsons has been diagnosed with lung cancer and began chemotherapy treatments Wednesday. Parsons, the 1973 Cup champion and currently a NASCAR commentator on NBC and TNT, was diagnosed two weeks ago after he had trouble breathing. "Needless to say this was a huge shock," Parsons said. "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." The 65-year-old Parsons will undergo chemotherapy three days a week for three weeks, and also will receive radiation five days a week. He's seeing Dr. Steven Limenpani, who treated NASCAR car owner Rick Hendrick during his battle with leukemia in the early 1990s. "I'm determined to pull through this and I appreciate everyone's concerns and prayers during this time," Parsons said. "Everyone I work with has been gracious and accommodating. I plan to keep on talking about racing for as long as I can." Parsons plans to remain in the booth during his treatments. "One of Benny's greatest qualities is how unconditionally supportive he is to the racing community," said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports. "Now it's our turn to provide that support to him. I ask all of his friends and fans to put him in their prayers tonight." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 Gives Me the Blues But Benny is a fighter and I think He will do great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Sad news for NASCAR fans. I have had the opportunity to eat with Benny on 2 occasions. He is truely a fine gentleman. Here is a link to the story.... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sec ... id=2530177 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Bruce, It's a good thing that Benny has you in his corner, because you can walk the walk with him. Your a very good mentor Bruce and an inspiration!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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