[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF 2017 NASCAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE BENNY PARSONS

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                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 2016

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember my 
friend, the late racing legend, Benny Parsons upon his induction into 
the eighth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
  While he was born in Ellerbe, North Carolina, Benny Parsons grew up 
in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Wilkes County. After high 
school he moved to Detroit, Michigan to work for his father's taxi 
company. After being invited to a local race track by a customer, fate 
intervened when he was asked to be the driver for the race that night. 
In that moment a racing legend was born.
  In 1970, Mr. Parsons joined the NASCAR circuit full time as a driver 
and it wasn't long until he won his first championship. A humble 
victor, he was described by many as an ``everyman champion.'' In his 
career as a driver he amassed 21 victories and managed to finish in the 
top ten 283 times, roughly 54 percent of his races. Following his 
driving career, he seamlessly transitioned to television as a very 
popular announcer until his death in 2007. I got to know Benny while 
serving on a YMCA board that he chaired in Concord, NC. I will always 
remember his integrity, humble nature and infectious humor. While he is 
sorely missed by the racing community, his legacy will now live on as a 
member of the Hall of Fame.
  This year's class was selected by a comprehensive voting panel that 
included track owners, retired competitors, industry leaders, members 
of the media, and a nationwide fan vote. In total, a group of five was 
chosen to join the ranks of other NASCAR legends in the Hall of Fame. 
Mr. Parsons is extremely deserving of this honor and will now be 
enshrined forever for his contributions to the sport.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Benny Parsons, a 2017 
inductee of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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