Posted on 08/18/2003 5:16:33 AM PDT by Salo
From listening to a lot of drivers, it sounds like there is a fair amount of disrest running thru the ranks of the NASCAR drivers and they are taking it out on each other.
Some drivers are complaining about the smaller fuel cells and making the races pit stop strategy contests..
Let the drivers race. Just stay away from Busch, Biffle, etc ;-) .. LOL
The sorriest thing is Jimmy may get the biggest black eye out of this... suspension, maybe jail? .. ouch!
On The Subject Of The Post-Race Assault On Kurt Busch:
The following statements are being issued by Roush Racing in connection with yesterday's assault by Jimmy Spencer on Roush Racing driver Kurt Busch. Geoff Smith, Roush Racing president: "Kurt Busch had an operation in December to correct a deviated septum. Because there is some concern that the blow Jimmy Spencer delivered has reinjured Kurt, he is undergoing a medical examination in order to evaluate the injury. We hope that Kurt has suffered no long term effects. We will issue an update on his condition after results have been received. We want to point out that only the Lenawee [Mich.] County District Attorney has the legal authority to press criminal charges against Jimmy Spencer for this assault. That decision does not reside in the hands of Kurt Busch, Jack Roush or any private citizen. That's the way the criminal justice system works and we all need to respect that process."
Kurt Busch on what happened: "I ran out of gas when I got into the garage area, and Jimmy Spencer ran into the back of my car. I was still in the car when he approached me with obvious anger. Words were exchanged, but I was still strapped in my seat with my helmet off when he struck me in the face. He broke my tooth and bloodied my nose."
Kurt Busch on Spencer's penalty: "I appreciate that NASCAR has recognized that Jimmy's assault went beyond the level of a "racing incident." I have been concerned by media comments characterizing Jimmy's involvement with me as a "rivalry," "duel" or "fight" all which carry a connotation that I actively participate in this type of behavior. Our racing Sunday was hard and clean. NASCAR's fine and suspension demonstrate and acknowledge for me their agreement that this was a unilateral assault which required serious punishment and for that I thank NASCAR."
Jack Roush: "It is incomprehensible to me that NASCAR used this incident to place Kurt Busch on probation. His only involvement in the "altercation" was to be the recipient of a blow struck by an individual that is twice his size. Drivers, as do others in the garage, often exchange heated words, and in my memory no one has even been penalized for words spoken in private to one another. We intend to promptly file an appropriate appeal against this penalty, although we have learned that the merits of an argument carry little weight in this particular form of appeal. On the other hand, I think that NASCAR's sanctions on Jimmy Spencer should be enough to give a sobering pause to any driver or other individual that might think the halo of competition can conceal an assault on any individual, whether on or off the race track. It is a step in the right direction. I hope that it is enough."(Roush Racing PRs)(8-18-2003)
Medical Condition Update On Kurt Busch" 5:10 P.M. Upon completion of his medical examination this afternoon, Kurt Busch issued the following regarding the extent of the injury he received from Jimmy Spencer.
"I have swelling on the left side of my face that is not expected to heal for three months. My breathing has been affected, and although it will not affect my ability to race, it will make breathing with helmet on more uncomfortable. I have been told that there is some tissue damage, and that there is a 15% chance that I will require reconstructive surgery to repair the damage. That assessment will not be made until the swelling dissipates."(Roush Racing PRs)(8-18-2003)
So who is in the #7 at Bristol? logical choice would be Ted Musgrave, who drivers for Ultra Motorsports in the Truck Seires and has driven the #07 Kenwood/Sirius Dodge in a few races the last few years for Smith. Also, not sure what happens with the appeal by Spencer. NASCAR has ten (10) days to hear the appeal. Not sure if while he appeals the suspension/fine if Spencer can race until it is resolved. Would expect NASCAR to hear the appeak quickly.(8-19-2003)
My apologies to Jayski.
There were 43 garages to run out of gas in front of and he just happens to run out of gas in front of Spencer's. Gee, but Kurt wouldn't "actively participate in this type of behavior" now, would he? Yeah, right. He was looking to stir things up and he got more than he bargained for and, like the spoiled little snot he is, he's now angling for a lawsuit.
If you can't run with the big dogs...
I stand by my assessment of Kurt Busch and now have a new opinion of Jack Roush (not particularly favorable). Meanwhile my opinion of Jimmy Spencer goes up a few notches. He's definitely not the best driver out there and never was. His career is definitely waning but he still gives a crap and he ain't going to roll over like many of the other old, decrepit drivers. He knew what was going on out there and if he didn't do anything about it, no one would. Mike Helton sure wasn't going to do anything until someone got killed so Spencer solved the problem and Kurt Busch is a marked man in the series.
And that puss had the gall to say, "I have been concerned by media comments characterizing Jimmy's involvement with me as a "rivalry," "duel" or "fight" all which carry a connotation that I actively participate in this type of behavior."
I guess if you parse it (ala Clintonspeak) he never really denied anything, did he?
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