Former NASCAR champion Benny Parsons diagnosed with lung cancer

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Associated Press
Auto Racer Benny Parsons Has Lung Cancer
By JENNA FRYER , 07.26.2006, 10:47 AM

Former NASCAR champion Benny Parsons has been diagnosed with lung cancer and began treatments on Wednesday.

Parsons, the 1973 Cup champion and currently a commentator for NBC's NASCAR coverage, 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 began chemotherapy Wednesday, and also will undergo 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 made 526 starts from 1964 until his 1988 retirement. He won 21 races, 20 poles, led at least one lap in 192 races and earned more than $4 million.

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