Parsons to be remembered in Atlanta

The Nicorette 300 Busch Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 17 will be dedicated to the memory of NASCAR great Benny Parsons, who died last month from complications of lung cancer.

In celebration of “BP,” the Parsons family will be honored and recognized as Grand Marshals of the race. Parsons’ brother, Phil Parsons, a former Cup driver and current Speed TV broadcaster, will represent the family at the race.

A year ago, Benny Parsons was one of six NASCAR greats to serve as Grand Marshals of the Nicorette 300, alongside Richard Petty, David Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker and Donnie Allison. Parsons, a supporter of Nicorette’s NASCAR smoking cessation programs, was a former smoker himself and had recently accepted an invitation by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to serve as Grand Marshal for the 2007 event.

To honor Parsons’ life, fans attending the Nicorette 300 will take part in a “Celebration of BP” during prerace ceremonies. Nextel Vision will air a special video montage featuring highlights from Parsons’ racing and broadcasting career, as well as memories from many of his friends within NASCAR.

Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series cars will carry a special “BP-72” contingency sticker throughout the Nicorette 300 weekend to remember 1973 series champion Parsons and his car number.