Phil Parsons
Encyclopedia
Phil Parsons is a former NASCAR
driver and owner of MSRP Motorsports
. He is also the younger brother of the late 1973 Winston Cup champion and former NBC
/TNT
commentator Benny Parsons
. Years later, he returned to the Busch Series
, where he enjoyed modest success. During his racing career, he also embarked on a career as a racing TV commentator, providing color analysis for the Mizlou Television Network. Many of these shows can be seen on TV4U.Com. He is now a commentator for Speed Channel
's coverage of the NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series. He can also be heard as commentator for the DirecTV
NASCAR Hot Pass during Sprint Cup races. He was the starter waving the green flag for the 2007 Daytona 500
. In 2008, he along with his wife Marcia became part owners of a new Nationwide Series team, MSRP Motorsports
.
. When the Late Model Series became the Busch Series
in 1982, Parsons joined the circuit full-time, driving the #28 Skoal
Pontiac
for Johnny Hayes
. He won his first career race at Bristol Motor Speedway
, and led the championship points early in the season. He won the pole in two of the last three races of the season and finished fifth in points. The following season, he competed in a limited schedule, 22 out of 35 races, but won four poles and had twelve top-tens, finishing fifth in the points. That season, he also ran five Winston Cup races with Hayes in the #66, posting two top-ten starts.
In 1984, Hayes and Parsons joined the Cup series and ran twenty-two races, posting three top-8 finishes and wound up 24th in the standings, second behind Rusty Wallace
for Rookie of the Year
. The same year, his Busch ride was bought by Jack Ingram
and he ran five races for him, and had two top-five finishes. In 1985, he ran the full season, splitting time between Jackson Bros. Motorsports and Roger Hamby's car. Despite four top-tens, he failed to finish thirteen races, and wound up twenty-first in points.
In 1986
, Parsons ran seventeen races, and had a best finish of fifth at Talladega. He had four more top-tens, but finished twenty-seventh in the final standings. The following season, he got his first full-time Cup job with the Jackson brothers when he signed on to drive their #55 Copenhagen
Oldsmobile
, garnering seven top-tens and a fourteenth-place points finish. In 1988
, Parsons led 52 laps at the Winston 500
and won his only career Cup race. He also had a career-best points finish of ninth that season. The next season however, he only had two top-fives and lost his ride at the end of the season.
He began 1990
driving the #4 Kodak car for Morgan-McClure Motorsports
, but was released three races into the season. He ran at Bristol for Jackson in a one-race deal, finishing 25th, and also drove for Phil Barkdoll
and Lake Speed
. He made his most starts with the fledging Diamond Ridge Motorsports
, his best finish with them a 21st at Darlington. He did not run the Cup series in 1991, instead running a handful of Busch races in his own equipment leased from Diamond Ridge. He had two top-tens, including a fourth at Darlington. After beginning 1992 with a tenth-place at the Daytona 500
with Melling Racing
, he returned to Busch to run seven races, and had five top-tens.
In 1993
, Parsons returned to Cup, running the #41 Manheim Auctions
Chevy for Larry Hedrick Motorsports
. Despite an eighth-place at North Carolina Speedway
, Parsons was released near the end of the season, but ended with a ninth at Atlanta Motor Speedway
for Butch Mock Motorsports
.
, Parsons returned to the Busch Series on a limited schedule for Bill Papke. He won his second and final Busch race at the Champion 300, and finished 25th in points after running just seventeen races. He went back to full-time racing in 1995
in the #99 Luxaire Chevy owned by his wife Marcia, posting nine top-tens and finishing eighth in points. The following season, he switched his car number to #10 with sponsorship from Channellock
. He began the season with consecutive third-place finishes but moved down to ninth in points. The next season, he finished in the top-ten in each of the first six races of the season posted a best finish of sixth in points. He also made his final Cup debut that season for SABCO Racing at Darlington, when he replaced Joe Nemechek
, who was on bereavement leave (Nemechek's brother John was killed at Homestead the previous week). He finished 31st.
With sponsorship from Dura Lube
in 1998
, Parsons matched his 1997
points finish. Alltel
joined as primary sponsors for 1999
, but Parsons failed to qualify for the NAPA 200 and dropped to fifteenth in the standings. At the end of the season, he merged his team with ST Motorsports to drive the #59 Kingsford
Chevy, and finished twelfth in points despite just two top-tens. After that season, he joined ESPN
and eventually SPEED as a commentator for truck races. His last start in NASCAR competition came at Kentucky Speedway
in 2001
. Phil also serves as a Pit Reporter for NASCAR on TNT
. Driving the #97 Curb Agajanian Performance Group
car, Parsons started fifth but finished 34th after a wreck late in the race.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver and owner of MSRP Motorsports
MSRP Motorsports
HP Racing, formerly named MSRP Motorsports and later Prism Motorsports, is a NASCAR team competing in the Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series. It is owned by former NASCAR driver Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey, along with their wives Stacey and Marcia...
. He is also the younger brother of the late 1973 Winston Cup champion and former NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
/TNT
Turner Network Television
Turner Network Television is an American cable television channel created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner...
commentator Benny Parsons
Benny Parsons
Benjamin Stewart Parsons was an American NASCAR driver, and later an announcer/analyst on TBS, ESPN, NBC and TNT...
. Years later, he returned to the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
, where he enjoyed modest success. During his racing career, he also embarked on a career as a racing TV commentator, providing color analysis for the Mizlou Television Network. Many of these shows can be seen on TV4U.Com. He is now a commentator for Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
's coverage of the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Camping World Truck Series. He can also be heard as commentator for the DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
NASCAR Hot Pass during Sprint Cup races. He was the starter waving the green flag for the 2007 Daytona 500
2007 Daytona 500
The 2007 Daytona 500 was the first race of the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season, taking place on February 18, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Kevin Harvick won the race by .02 second over Mark Martin in the closest finish since the first race at Daytona...
. In 2008, he along with his wife Marcia became part owners of a new Nationwide Series team, MSRP Motorsports
MSRP Motorsports
HP Racing, formerly named MSRP Motorsports and later Prism Motorsports, is a NASCAR team competing in the Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series. It is owned by former NASCAR driver Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey, along with their wives Stacey and Marcia...
.
Beginnings
Parsons began racing in the Late Model Series and the NASCAR Goody's Dash SeriesNASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series
The NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series was a NASCAR-sanctioned amateur/semi-pro racing series based in the Southeastern United States. The series was formerly known as the Slim Jim All Pro Series. The drivers who have graduated from this series include Shawna Robinson, Rick Crawford,...
. When the Late Model Series became the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
in 1982, Parsons joined the circuit full-time, driving the #28 Skoal
Skoal
Skoal may refer to:* Skoal, skål, or skál, exclamation in a toasting ceremony* Skoal tobaccoSee also:* Skoll * Skol beer...
Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
for Johnny Hayes
Johnny Hayes
John "Johnny" Joseph Hayes was an American athlete, a member of the Irish American Athletic Club, and winner of the marathon race at the 1908 Summer Olympics...
. He won his first career race at Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
, and led the championship points early in the season. He won the pole in two of the last three races of the season and finished fifth in points. The following season, he competed in a limited schedule, 22 out of 35 races, but won four poles and had twelve top-tens, finishing fifth in the points. That season, he also ran five Winston Cup races with Hayes in the #66, posting two top-ten starts.
Winston Cup
Rusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:...
for Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
. The same year, his Busch ride was bought by Jack Ingram
Jack Ingram (NASCAR)
Jack Ingram is a former NASCAR Busch Series race car driver and champion. Nicknamed the "Iron Man", during eight seasons in the Busch Series, he won 31 races and 5 poles, as well as the 1982 and 1985 championships. Unlike most younger competitors, Ingram won his 31 races between the age of 45 and...
and he ran five races for him, and had two top-five finishes. In 1985, he ran the full season, splitting time between Jackson Bros. Motorsports and Roger Hamby's car. Despite four top-tens, he failed to finish thirteen races, and wound up twenty-first in points.
In 1986
1986 in NASCAR
The 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 16 and ended November 16. Dale Earnhardt of RCR Enterprises won his second championship this year.See also: 1986 NASCAR Busch Series- Busch Clash :...
, Parsons ran seventeen races, and had a best finish of fifth at Talladega. He had four more top-tens, but finished twenty-seventh in the final standings. The following season, he got his first full-time Cup job with the Jackson brothers when he signed on to drive their #55 Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
, garnering seven top-tens and a fourteenth-place points finish. In 1988
1988 in NASCAR
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 7 and ended November 20. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.See also: 1988 in NASCAR Busch Series- 1988 Team Chart :- Busch Clash :...
, Parsons led 52 laps at the Winston 500
Winston 500
Winston 500 may refer to the following NASCAR Sprint Cup races:* Aaron's 499, held at Talladega Superspeedway from 1971 to 1993 and in 1997* Good Sam Club 500, held at Talladega Superspeedway from 1998 to 2000...
and won his only career Cup race. He also had a career-best points finish of ninth that season. The next season however, he only had two top-fives and lost his ride at the end of the season.
He began 1990
1990 in NASCAR
The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Sunday February 11 and ended on Sunday November 18. Because of a highly controversial penalty to Mark Martin early in the season, Dale Earnhardt with Richard Childress Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion for the fourth time, edging out Martin by 21...
driving the #4 Kodak car for Morgan-McClure Motorsports
Morgan-McClure Motorsports
Morgan-McClure Motorsports is an American auto racing team that competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time until 2007 and now occasionally attempts races. It has been in operation for 27 years, starting in 1982. The team is most notable for running the #4 from 1983 to 2009.-Starting...
, but was released three races into the season. He ran at Bristol for Jackson in a one-race deal, finishing 25th, and also drove for Phil Barkdoll
Phil Barkdoll
Phil Barkdoll is a former NASCAR owner-driver from Phoenix, Arizona who only ran at two tracks in his entire career: Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.-NASCAR career:...
and Lake Speed
Lake Speed
-Background:Lake was named after the best friend of his father, Bob Lake. Lake's father Leland L. Speed took office as the Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi in 1948, the same year that he was born. He started his racing career at the age of thirteen racing karts, much to the displeasure of his family...
. He made his most starts with the fledging Diamond Ridge Motorsports
Diamond Ridge Motorsports
Pastrana-Waltrip Racing is a NASCAR Nationwide Series team that competed in the Winston Cup and Busch Series from 1990 to 1999, and revived as a Nationwide Series team in 2010. The original Diamond Ridge team was owned and operated by Gary Bechtel...
, his best finish with them a 21st at Darlington. He did not run the Cup series in 1991, instead running a handful of Busch races in his own equipment leased from Diamond Ridge. He had two top-tens, including a fourth at Darlington. After beginning 1992 with a tenth-place at the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
with Melling Racing
Melling Racing
Melling Racing was a NASCAR team that ran from 1982 to 2002. The team won the 1988 championship with driver Bill Elliott.-History:Owner Harry Melling first became involved in NASCAR when his company Melling Tool sponsored Benny Parsons in 1979. The team began in 1982 with driver Bill Elliott by...
, he returned to Busch to run seven races, and had five top-tens.
In 1993
1993 in NASCAR
The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began on February 7 and ended on November 14. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won the title, the sixth of his career....
, Parsons returned to Cup, running the #41 Manheim Auctions
Manheim Auctions
Manheim, Inc. is an automobile auction company. It is the largest one in the world by volume of trade. As a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., Manheim provides services including financing, title work, transportation, recovery, auto body repair, dealership management systems, dent repair and...
Chevy for Larry Hedrick Motorsports
Larry Hedrick Motorsports
Larry Hedrick Motorsports is a former NASCAR team. It was owned by businessman Larry Hedrick and always fielded the #41 Chevrolet in both the Winston Cup and the Busch Series. The team ran from 1990 until its closure in 2001.- Beginnings :...
. Despite an eighth-place at North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
, Parsons was released near the end of the season, but ended with a ninth at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
for Butch Mock Motorsports
RahMoc Enterprises
RahMoc Enterprises is a former NASCAR Winston Cup team. The team was owned by long-time engine builder Bob Rahilly and Butch Mock, as well as Darwin Oordt in the team's later years. RahMoc Enterprises continues to operate as an engine supplier for several NASCAR teams.- Beginnings :RahMoc's debut...
.
Return to Busch Series
In 19941994 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1994 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 19 and ended October 22. David Green of Labonte Motorsports won the championship.See also: 1994 in NASCAR-1994 Team chart:List of full-time teams at the start of 1994.- Goody's 300 :...
, Parsons returned to the Busch Series on a limited schedule for Bill Papke. He won his second and final Busch race at the Champion 300, and finished 25th in points after running just seventeen races. He went back to full-time racing in 1995
1995 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1995 NASCAR Busch Series Season was held February 18 and ended November 5. Johnny Benson of BACE Motorsports won the championship.See also: 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1995 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-1995 Team chart:...
in the #99 Luxaire Chevy owned by his wife Marcia, posting nine top-tens and finishing eighth in points. The following season, he switched his car number to #10 with sponsorship from Channellock
Channellock
Channellock is an American company that produces hand tools. It is best known for its pliers—the company manufactures more than 120 types of pliers—particularly its eponymous style of tongue-and-groove, slip-joint pliers...
. He began the season with consecutive third-place finishes but moved down to ninth in points. The next season, he finished in the top-ten in each of the first six races of the season posted a best finish of sixth in points. He also made his final Cup debut that season for SABCO Racing at Darlington, when he replaced Joe Nemechek
Joe Nemechek
Joseph Frank Nemechek III is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and owner of NEMCO Motorsports. He won the 1992 Busch Series championship...
, who was on bereavement leave (Nemechek's brother John was killed at Homestead the previous week). He finished 31st.
With sponsorship from Dura Lube
Dura lube
The Dura Lube Corporation was formed in 1986, originally concentrating on producing engine treatment products for trucks. It later extended its product line to include cars.-Controversy:...
in 1998
1998 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series Season began on Saturday February 14 and ended on Sunday November 15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was crowned champion at season's end.See also: 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series...
, Parsons matched his 1997
1997 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1997 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 15 and ended November 9. Randy LaJoie of BACE Motorsports won the championship.See also: 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-1997 Team chart:...
points finish. Alltel
Alltel
Alltel Corporation is a wireless service provider, primarily based in the United States. Before an acquisition by Verizon Wireless, it served 34 states. After the merger, Alltel continues to serve six states, mostly in rural areas...
joined as primary sponsors for 1999
1999 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1999 NASCAR Busch Series season began on February 13 and ended on November 13. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won the season points championship.See also: 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-1999 Team chart:...
, but Parsons failed to qualify for the NAPA 200 and dropped to fifteenth in the standings. At the end of the season, he merged his team with ST Motorsports to drive the #59 Kingsford
Kingsford (charcoal)
Kingsford is a brand of charcoal used for grilling, along with related products. The brand is owned by The Clorox Company.The Kingsford Company was formed by Henry Ford and E.G. Kingsford during the early 1920s. Charcoal was developed from Ford Motor Company's factory waste wood scrap. The...
Chevy, and finished twelfth in points despite just two top-tens. After that season, he joined ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and eventually SPEED as a commentator for truck races. His last start in NASCAR competition came at Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Sparta, Kentucky, which has hosted ARCA, NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing annually since it opened in 2000. The track is currently owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Jerry Carroll, who, along with four other investors, owned...
in 2001
2001 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 17 and ended November 10.Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing was champion.See also: 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-2001 Team chart:...
. Phil also serves as a Pit Reporter for NASCAR on TNT
NASCAR on TNT
NASCAR on TNT is the tagname for any NASCAR series race that has been broadcast on Turner Network Television by Turner Sports.-Prior to 2001:...
. Driving the #97 Curb Agajanian Performance Group
Curb Agajanian Performance Group
The Curb Agajanian Performance Group is a NASCAR Busch Series team. It is owned by record executive Mike Curb and racing personality Cary Agajanian. It has fielded the #43 entry for many years in the Busch Series.- NASCAR Winston Cup :...
car, Parsons started fifth but finished 34th after a wreck late in the race.