CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former race car driver Benny Parsons has died. His son, Keith, said the former taxi driver turned NASCAR champion passed away Tuesday at the age of 65 after a losing battle against lung cancer.

Parsons -- born in Wilkes County and raised in Detroit -- was diagnosed with the disease in July after complaining that he was having difficulty breathing. He underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments and was declared "cancer-free" in October.

But the aggressive treatment cost Parsons the use of his left lung, and he was hospitalized the day after Christmas when doctors found a blood clot in his right lung. He was transferred to intensive care shortly after his admission, and he remained there in an induced-coma.


Parsons, affectionately known throughout NASCAR as "BP," kept fans updated on his condition in a blog on his Web site.

At the time of his diagnosis in July, Parsons said "this was a huge shock," having smoked his last cigarette way back in 1978.

"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 name is among the elite group of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. He won the whole shooting match in 1973 and retired from racing in 1988 to move into the broadcasting booth.

He spent the past six years as a commentator on NBC and TNT, and continued to call races from the booth during his treatment.

"Benny was a beloved and widely respected member of the NASCAR community, and of the NBC Sports family," said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports.


Parsons made 526 starts behind the wheel from 1964 until his 1988 retirement.



"He was a great driver and a terrific broadcaster, but above anything else he was a kind and generous human being. His character and spirit will define how he is remembered by all of us. Benny will be sorely missed."

Will Spencer, who owns the Winston Cup museum in Winston-Salem, said last summer that he grew up watching Parsons and Richard Petty.

"He's definitely been a staple of the drivers in Winston's 33-year involvement with the sport," he said of Parsons.

Survivors include his wife, Terri, and two sons by his late wife -- Kevin and Keith, a former sports writer for The Associated Press, and two granddaughters.