In this case, history won’t likely repeat itself or benny parsons …
There was a time, particularly during its formative 70s and 80s years and on the way to the industry powerhouse it became, Edelbrock was the focal point for numerous notable and entertaining events and activities. For example, it pioneered much of the early work done to establish a favorable relationship between specialty parts manufacturers and environmental regulations. It drew together leading racers to test and further the development of their engine packages. It was a breeding ground for in-depth technical articles that graced the pages of leading enthusiast publications. And, if you were a frequent visitor or worked for the company, it was a watering hole that fostered countless stories involving high performance notables of the era. One such person was found in the character of Benny Parsons.
From the beginning, it was “Benny who?” We found him indirectly. Well, actually it was by way of Cylinder Heads America, an emerging and progressive West Coast cylinder head shop that had spun off from Warren Brownfield’s Air Flow Research company in Burbank, CA. Pete Incaudo, one of the principals at CHA had pointed out Benny as someone with
NASCAR potential and a customer of his shop. At the time, as it applied in so many instances, the Edelbrock dyno facility was becoming a “home” to many of leading participants in racing, including those in NASCAR, NHRA and the IROC (International Race of Champions) Series. The company had also recognized the value in combining development activities linking intake manifold development with cylinder head technology. As a matter of fact, weren’t intake manifold runners simply extensions of a cylinder head’s inlet ports? Of course they were…and still are, for that matter.
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So we invited Benny to bring one his NASCAR “bullets” out to El Segundo, CA (from Ellerbe, N.C.) and we’d see what it took to optimize his CHA heads with a “revamped” Edelbrock Scorpion, single-plane manifold…the then-choice of manifolds for the Winston Cup gang. And with him came his crew chief, Travis Carter, also later to become of NASCAR prominence as both crew chief and team owner.
From the start, Benny was a likeable sort. As was the custom, many a story and joke permeated the Edelbrock dyno environment and he quickly became both player and sharer of confidential information. After all, racers had some to trust the Edelbrock R&D staff to the point they’d expose even the most secret of engine components to these El Segundo “bandits” because it ultimately meant the engines would leave the facility with more power than upon arrival. And when one racer came and went, it was known that nothing of his engine package would be shared during the next team’s visit. It was pretty much unwritten but well understood.
Benny also liked to play golf. On multiple occasions, we’d venture onto the links for even more good fun times and other sides of this pleasant man who, at the time, lurked behind the wheel of his ’72 Monte Carlo “Grand National” stocker. On more than one occasion, he became involved in promoting charitable golf tournaments, frequently availing himself as a guest speaker or supporter of children’s charities and fund-raisers. You’d have thought him to be “family” to just about any worthwhile venture. And he loved to eat…with an occasional beer or two, just for good measure. That is, when we wasn’t eating apples.
