The next big loss was that of Benny Parsons. Most folks nowadays only remember Benny from his days in the announcing booth. But Benny was one heck of a driver and a champion back in his heyday. Being a driven individual started early with Benny. He was a Straight A student and had perfect attendance in grade school. This drive would continue on when Benny started working on race cars and eventually he got his own ride. Benny never forgot his roots as a mechanic and created the Golden Benny to recognize the guys who actually did the work on the cars. He was the first to openly recognize the mechanics and the pit crews in the media for their accomplishments. Benny was also very concerned with his roots and where he grew up. He created the Rendezvous Ridge Winery in Wilkes County, where he was from. He hoped to be able to retire from his announcing job and produce some quality wines for everyone to enjoy. He was also a source of help, support, and information to the Save The Speedway group who continue to try to save North Wilkesboro Speedway, a track that Benny fondly remembered. But Benny got hit hard when he was found to have lung cancer. He underwent treatment and he had beaten it. I met Benny at Martinsville last season and he was very cheerful and optimistic. But unfortunately, the treatment that rid him of cancer also took his life because of some complications from it. Take one more lap Benny.
While the death of Gerard Nadeau, Jerry Nadeau’s dad, didn’t have the impact that Bobby and Benny’s passing did, it struck me pretty close as he died from a form of thyroid cancer. Having gone through treatment and surgery last year for thyroid cancer, I consider myself lucky to have had the type of thyroid cancer that I did. Gerard wasn’t so lucky. He had a more aggressive form of thyroid cancer. Rest easy Gerard.
The passing of Bill France Jr. didn’t come as a shock, but it was something of a surprise. He had been battling cancer and although it was in remission, he never fully recovered his strength. Bill Jr. wasn’t afraid to walk around the garage area and talk to fans, owners, or drivers. He was the first one at the track and left only after the last hauler pulled out, just like his dad. Bill Jr. would also listen to what owners and drivers had to say. Even if he didn’t agree with them. He took NASCAR from being a Southern sport into a National Sport. You saw and did a lot Bill. You can let other folks close the gates now.
The second blow for the France family came with the crash of the plane that the husband of Lesa France Kennedy was piloting. 3 people on the ground were hurt as a result of the crash and the NTSB has yet to release the final results of their investigation.
Racing legend G.C. Spencer passed away after a long battle with emphysema. G.C. was a legend in that he won so many races in the Midwest he caused some tracks to shut down because nobody would race against him. G.C. ran for a number of years as a NASCAR driver and finally hung up his helmet in 1977. He continued on as an owner until he sold the team in 1983 to what is now Morgan-McClure Racing. He stayed on as a consultant and adviser until he decided to give it up and retire altogether. He was well liked and well respected by the racing community. Take one more lap G.C.
While some folks may not recognize the name of Bill Hagan, you might recognize the name of his driver who won him a championship in 1984. Terry Labonte and the #44 Piedmont Airlines Chevy. He did it with legendary crew chief Dale Inman and car chief Steve Hmiel. I met Bill at a fundraiser and he was a pleasant fellow to talk with. While some folks may remember Bill from his days as a stock car owner, Bill went to Le Mans in 1981 and 1982 with his Camaros. He had Cale Yarborough, Hershel McGriff, Gene Felton (who restores old Cup cars now) and himself as his drivers during those two races. Bobby Labonte got his start in NASCAR as a mechanic for Bill Hagan. Bill even had a sponsor that was detested by Big Bill France. The Teamsters. Bill was also one of the drivers who ran in the 1969 Talladega 500 when Big Bill waived the rules on the cars and drivers in order to have a race because of the drivers strike. Bill finished 8th there and would drive in two more Cup races. One more in Talladega and one at College Station Texas, better known as the Texas World Speedway. You can take it easy now Bill. No more hairpin turns or ownership problems to worry about. Take one more lap.
Morgan Shepherd, Jack Roush, Jeremy Mayfield, and 8 time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel all lost their mothers. I don’t care how old you are, losing your mother is never easy. We also lost legendary rally driver Colin McRae in a helicopter crash. There were also more losses in other series and among some of the NASCAR pit crews. Lives cut short way too soon and in some cases for senseless reasons.
The Laidback family had their losses this year with the passing of family members and dear friends. So we feel the loss also. Here’s to all those who lost loved ones, whether they were somebody famous, not so famous, or just the average Joe. You losses haven’t been forgotten.
Don: Mikie has pretty well covered the whole spectrum of our lost and beloved ones. For me, the biggest loss was the gentle giant, Benny Parsons. As I stated in a previous article, never having met the man is one of my life’s biggest disappointments. In all my readings of NASCAR related personalities I’ve never seen one negative comment about Benny. I suppose I may be the one who did find one negative about this humble giant. Some years back I hit on the fact that Benny kept calling Jamie McMurray, Jamie MacMurray which, for some reason, really irritated me. If we could have Benny back he could call any driver anything that suited his fancy and I suck it up and say, “You go man.” There is no one on the horizon that could touch his contribution to our beloved sport. RIP my good man. The only man, beside my father, whose passing so deeply affected me was “The Gipper” whom I believe was another “One of a kind.”
There are so many in the history of NASCAR whose contributions deserve recognition and who are no longer with us. Having lost my mother at age six and, subsequently, my father and two younger brothers, I know the feeling of loss. The sad part is, that all too often, we don’t show our appreciation while they are still around to enrich our lives and receive our words of love, affection and appreciation.
Jo Ann: I always liked Bobby Hamilton and Benny Parsons. They were great drivers and good people. The racing world misses these 2 great personalities. Bill France Jr. was in a class of his own. I would love to read about the spats between he and Bruton.
I have been really busy the last few weeks and wasn't going to add my two cents worth on this article but just had to take a few minutes and do so. This year I lost some one whom I respected and admired just about more than any person in the world, my momma Libby. God knows when people need each other and 17 years ago He brought me together with the Meadows family. They opened their home and hearts to me and for that I will be forever grateful. Frankie is my brother and his wife Cindy my sister. His father Claude is my father and his momma Libby was my momma too.
In the 1950's when woman did not have jobs in position of authority, Libby was a manager at Bell South. She worked, kept her house running and raised two children. She thought nothing of loading her two young boys up in the station wagon and going to the mountains with them on a weekend trip. She was the original "racemama" as she loved going to the races with Claude and Frankie.
Libby was the epitome of a Southern Lady. She always carried herself with grace and dignity. She had a big heart and an enormous capacity for love. Even though she had plenty of family and friends to love she opened her heart up for me. I am a better person for having known her. If I can become half the person she was than I will have become more than I could ever hope for.
So knowing how I feel about my loss, my thoughts and prayers go out to all the families whoom have lost loved ones.
Gotta comment, question or want to say hey there...email Mike here
Gotta comment, question or want to say hey there...email Racemama
Gotta comment, question or want to say hey there... email Don Hamm
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