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NASCAR BGN: Parsons Is All Smiles These Days

29 April 1998

DENVER, NC-Life is pretty fun right now for Dura-Lube Busch Grand National driver Phil Parsons. On the track, Parsons has the #10 Dura-Lube Chevrolet up front again, finishing 2nd in Talladega. Marcia, his wife is expecting twins in June, and the NHL Hockey playoffs are in full swing. The Detroit Red Wings, Parsons' favorite team should be a strong favorite to win The Stanley Cup.

After starting the season with a solid run in Daytona, Parsons ran into a string of bad luck. Just as soon as Parsons drove the #10 Dura-Lube Chevrolet into a position for the win, disaster would strike, a mechanical failure or someone else's wreck would end the day for Parsons.

"It was tough in the beginning with all the bad luck we were running into," Parsons said. "We just kept our heads up and continued to work hard, we knew the cars were performing and the results would come if we kept our faith."

The second place run in Talladega and the fourth place finish in Texas have lifted Parsons to 12th place in the Busch Grand National Points race. Parsons is only 46 points away from tenth place and 135 points away from fifth place.

"I feel like we can get right back into the middle of the points battle with three more solid races in a row," Parsons said.

Those next three races, New Hampshire, Nazareth, and Charlotte should all be solid races for the Dura-Lube Racing Team. Last year, Parsons recorded finishes of 5th, 20th, and 5th in the 3 races. Parsons can also list an emotional victory at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1994 to his credit.

Off the track, Parsons is getting ready to have his hands real full. Along with wife, Marcia and daughter Kinsley, Phil is getting ready to add twins to his family in June.

"Our whole family is so excited about having twins," Parsons said. "I know we are going to have our hands full at home, but I can't wait."

When Parsons isn't racing or getting the nursery ready he is tuning into the NHL Playoffs. Parsons is a life long hockey fan and native of Detroit, Michigan. His Red Wings are now trying to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. After a fantastic regular season, the Red Wings are one of the favorites to claim the Stanley Cup. Last season, Parsons had the opportunity to attend Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He list that experience as one of his top thrills outside of racing.

"I really do enjoy this time of the year, with the racing season becoming so demanding, it is nice to have the Red Wings to pull for in my spare time," Parsons said. "I really believe they will be able to repeat as Champions this year, they are playing hard and have a complete focus on winning the title."

So now you know why Phil Parsons has a smile on his face right now. Things are good in every aspect of his life. With a few more top-five runs or a win, that smile might even grow larger. Keep an eye on Parsons over the next few weeks, along with his Dura-Lube Racing Team, they are headed for even more success.