Beyond the Flag
Fansided

Top Five NASCAR TV Analysts of All-Time

By Alex Herbst

Jul 8, 2016; Sparta, KY, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (18) leads the field across the start line during the ALSCO 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2016; Sparta, KY, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (18) leads the field across the start line during the ALSCO 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next

  1. Benny Parsons

If there was a Mount Rushmore for NASCAR on TV, Benny Parsons would be one of the first faces to go on the mountain. A man who worked for half a dozen networks over the years in roles from pit reporting to commentating, he was and continues to be in many people’s mind the greatest NASCAR TV analyst of all-time.

The 1973 Winston Cup champion, Benny actually began as a pit reporter for ESPN and TBS while still driving occasionally in the 80s, including in relief of Tim Richmond following his AIDS diagnosis. After he retired from racing in 1988, he moved into the booth, covering races for ESPN, SETN, and ABC, and began to build his television stardom in motorsports.

Following NBC Sports signing a deal to pick up the second half of the NASCAR season in 2001, Parson moved there, and also covered races on TNT. At this point, his good-natured demeanor and popular commentary style brought a level of comfort and familiarity to the booth. Were it not for his tragic death due to complications of lung cancer treatment in 2007, he likely would have continued this role in the TNT summer series through 2014, and could still be heard today.

So what makes Benny Parsons the cream of the crop? While others bring solely expertise and understanding from their time on the track, Parsons brought that and more. He brought the strength under that Ned Jarrett-like gentleman nature, with a comfort that made many fans feel they were listening to their father or grandfather tell them about racing. His one-liners and catch phrases lived on for years, both on TV and in racing lore. And most importantly, BP is still honored and remembered dearly by NASCAR fans today.

must read: Three Ways NASCAR Can Improve The Brickyard 400

Who are in your top five for NASCAR TV analysts? Are there any former drivers, crew chiefs, or others that deserve to be on this list? Comment with your thoughts below or send them to us on Facebook or Twitter.

Be on the lookout soon for our next installment, with the top five NASCAR TV pit reporters of all-time.

Home/All-Time Lists