'Weather' or not, rules are rules
Subway 400 Advance - North Carolina Speedway



MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 20, 2003) - When it comes to computers, Jimmy Spencer has a restrictor plate on his.  Its capabilities are endless, but it rarely gets stretched past the realms of solitaire or his favorite Web site, weather.com.  Either one can entertain the Berwick, Pa., native for hours.

"It's not looking good," he says to a room of five, none of whom are too sure what he's talking about but conclude it's probably one of two things: Either he has just pulled up the grim weekend forecast for Rockingham, N.C., the place he'll race the No. 7 SIRIUS Dodge on Sunday in the Subway 400, or he can't find a red 8 to stack on his 9 of clubs.  Either way, this is crisis management's finest hour.

"Looks like we might get some rain again this weekend," he says, adding a sarcastic "That's just great."

Rain is Mother Nature's way of reminding us that we live by her mercy and play by her rules - a lesson learned last week when a nagging rain shower forced NASCAR to end the Daytona 500 after just 273 miles.  It was a decision made firmly within the structure of the rulebook, which says a race is official after the halfway point.  That didn't stop some from making the argument that the Daytona 500 should be an exception to the rule due to its prestige.  Doesn't NASCAR owe it to the fans to ensure the entirety of the Great American Race, even if it means coming back another day?

Spencer says no.  As we head to the one-mile North Carolina Speedway this weekend, Spencer discusses a range of topics, including Mother Nature, driving for a single-car team, and why his dog needs a name.

Jimmy Spencer's thoughts:

The question of the week:  Should the Daytona 500 be run in its entirety, even if it means coming back a second day?
"I don't think so.  If we started to favor one race, it would cause more problems.  I agree that the Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the year.  But I don't think you can stop one race and say we'll come back tomorrow and finish it if it's already passed the halfway point.  That plays havoc on the following race.  It's still just one of 36 races, all of which make up the ultimate prize - a Winston Cup championship.  I think if NASCAR did that for Daytona, then at some point people would ask, 'Then why not the Brickyard 400?  Isn't that important enough?'  Or what about the Coca-Cola 600? It would just open up a whole new can of worms.

"I've always said I would never want to be in NASCAR's shoes, and have to make the decisions they make.  NASCAR puts every effort possible into getting these races in, but there are many things to consider.  You've got to consider the drivers, airplanes taking off, equipment, and the schedule.  You've also got to consider team members, who already spend every waking hour preparing these cars to race.  There's a lot to consider when weather becomes a factor.  Sure, if we would've raced the entire 500 miles last week, the outcome could've been different.  But the Good Lord blessed us with rain, and I think the best car still won the race."

Are your feelings based on the notion that there are too many rule changes anyway?
"I disagree with people who knock NASCAR for changing rules during the middle of the season.  NASCAR has to use judgement on most of the rules that are in place, and that's tough to do and still be able to please everybody.  I'll say it again, I would never want to be the one who has to make those decisions."

Teammates had a lot to do with the outcome of last week's race.  Yet, Team SIRIUS is a single-car team competing in a series that is nearly consumed by multi-car teams.  What are the advantages and disadvantages to being a single-car team?
"There are no advantages to a single-car team, so we know we have our work cut out for us.  I still think a single-car team can win.  I just think it requires harder work.  I'll be honest, I'm glad multi-car teams have taken us out of the equation.  I'm glad they don't look at us as a threat, because I know that if we work as hard as we can, we'll still reap the benefits.  Tommy and I were talking the other day, and we were saying how the biggest thing we need to do right now is get the body of the SIRIUS Dodge slicker.  I think right now we're lacking a bit in our aero package, so that means we need to go back to the wind tunnel and really go to work on this."

Speaking of the body of the SIRIUS Dodge, a lot has been said about the new paint and color scheme this year.  What are your thoughts?
"I really like the way it looks, because it's plain and it's easy to pick out.  Our car doesn't need to be flashy, because we're not a flashy bunch.  I've always liked the plain-looking cars.  I've driven a few myself.  The No. 12 Zippo car in the Busch Series was one of my favorites.  This car shows up more than any other one on the track.  I think the only thing it needs is a name for the big dog on the hood."

Do you have any suggestions?  You've got five dogs of your own, so surely you've got this down to an art.
"I'm thinking something like D.J. - ya know, as in a SIRIUS radio disc jockey.  Naming the dog would probably make a good contest.  We've definitely got to have a name for it."




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Team SIRIUS Qualifying Report
Subway 400 - North Carolina Speedway


ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Feb. 21, 2003) - Rain showers and dark clouds played mind games with crew chiefs in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series on Friday, leaving those to wonder if Mother Nature would let up enough to fit in Bud Pole Qualifying for the Subway 400.  She did, but not convincingly.

The No. 7 SIRIUS Racing Team was one of many that decided to play the odds and begin prepping the car for the race on Sunday rather than tuning it up for qualifying.   It was a decision that would knowingly sacrifice track position, but it could pay off this weekend.

With Jimmy Spencer behind the wheel, Team SIRIUS turned a lap around the 1.017-mile speedway in 23.999 seconds (152.556 mph), good for the 36th starting spot in the first non-restrictor plate race of the season.  The qualifying time was more than a tenth of a second quicker than his best practice time, which was 18th fastest on the chart.  But others improved more, leaving Team SIRIUS with its work cut out before Sunday's event.

"We're not where we need to be," Spencer said.  "We've got to get faster."

Dave Blaney won the Bud Pole Award - his first career pole - with a speed of 154.683 mph.  Johnny Benson qualified second, followed by Mark Martin, Sterling Marlin, and Bill Elliott.

On the slate for Saturday will be two practice sessions, weather permitting.  Spencer said he's confident in his team's ability to find more speed in the car, just as it did at Daytona during 2003 Speedweeks.

"We've been tight all day," he said.  "The nose of the car just doesn't want to cut into that corner like it should, and I also think we need to get more acceleration coming off the turns.  I'm not saying that's the answer, but it's something we'll look at tomorrow during practice."

The Subway 400 is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, with Fox beginning its live telecast at 12:30 p.m.  The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will bring live radio cover to its 650 affiliates beginning at 12:30 p.m., as well.

OTHER NOTES FROM QUALIFYING DAY:

* Ryan Newman had the fastest practice speed but qualified 21st fastest at 153.439 mph because a fuel line came off the carburetor on his first lap.  Jerry Nadeau ran 153.035 mph on the first of his two qualifying laps, but lost control of his car on his second lap and spun out.  He kept the car off the wall, however, and will start 24th.  Jeff Burton wasn't so lucky.  Burton failed to complete a qualifying lap, as he hit the wall after a spin on his warm-up lap.

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Up and down day at "The Rock"
Subway 400 Race Report - North Carolina Speedway


ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Feb. 23, 2003) - With a little luck, one can only wonder how well the No. 7 SIRIUS Racing Team would've fared on Sunday.

When Jimmy Spencer thought he'd seen it all - a radio malfunction, a stalled engine, and even a pit stop in which the air gun hose got trapped underneath the car - the fuel tank then went dry less than two laps shy of the conclusion to the Subway 400.   As a result, Spencer had to surrender the 19th position and settle for a 28th-place finish.  That was an improvement of eight spots from where he started, but on a day in which the No. 7 Dodge was running lap times as quick as the leaders and had climbed as high as 12th place with 100 laps remaining, there wasn't much room for smiles after the race.

"It's disappointing because we were better than a lot of those cars that ended up finishing ahead of us," Spencer said.  "We were having a decent day.  We were tight for most of the whole race, but after that last pit stop the car got real loose, and it was the worst it had been all day.  We had no straightaway speed either.  When you have it floored going down the straightway and you're still getting passed, that's a problem."

Whatever speed Spencer lacked on the straights he made up for on the turns - especially turn two where the SIRIUS Dodge did most of its passing.  But after the final pit stop for tires on lap 298 (95 laps from the finish), the loose condition began to set in.

"This is the worst it's been all day right here," he said over the radio.  "I'm just trying to hang on to this thing.  Very loose."

Spencer lost five positions in the last 80 laps but was holding off NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Tony Stewart for the 19th spot when he ran out of fuel.  He coasted the No. 7 car into the pits; then returned to the track just in time to see Dale Jarrett take the checkered flag after a late pass of Kurt Busch.  Matt Kenseth finished third, Ricky Craven fourth and Jamie McMurray fifth.  Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Dave Blaney rounded out the top 10.

PROBLEMS AT THE START:  It may have looked like a mechanical mishap three laps into the Subway 400, but Spencer's car went to the back of the pack because he was playing it safe.  He couldn't hear his spotter, Carl "Red Dog" Barnes.  Once communications were re-established, Spencer wasted no time to fight his way back up.  By the time the first caution flag flew at lap 44, he had climbed from 43rd to 34th. 

PIT WOES:  A quick pit stop at lap 47 boosted Spencer another three spots.  He then took over 29th at lap 58, passed for 25th at lap 71, and worked in front of Todd Bodine for 24th before the second caution came.  All the while, he reported to crew chief Tommy Baldwin that the car was too tight from the middle of the turns off.  Baldwin called for an air pressure adjustment and four tires, but what he got instead was a pit stop that never reached its completion.  When the jack dropped on the right side, the rear tire caught the foot of car chief/tire carrier Trip Bruce, as well as a part of the air gun hose.  Bruce was able to wiggle free, but the hose was a different story.  Baldwin ordered for Spencer to roll out and come back in to finish the four-tire stop.  When it was all said and done, he restarted in 37th.

BIG DOG MAKING SOME NOISE:  Quick pit stops and sporty driving helped the No. 7 Dodge work its way through the field for the second time.  Team SIRIUS clipped off seven positions (28th to 21st) on a four-tire stop on lap 108, and then passed the cars of Ricky Rudd, Jeff Green, Jarrett, Robby Gordon and Joe Nemechek to break into the top 15.

"You're running good lap times, Jimmy," Baldwin radioed to his driver.  "Keep digging.  You're doing a good job out there."
A stalled engine upon leaving the pit box cost Team SIRIUS six extra seconds and three positions.  Still, Spencer had the car in the top 20, and he was moving up.  By lap 298 he was in 12th place with less than 100 circuits to go around the 1.017-mile speedway.  Said Spencer on the radio, "This is now just one of those 100-lappers from Saturday night."

HANGING ON TO THE END:  No one expected the SIRIUS Dodge to react the way it did to the final wedge adjustment.  What had once been difficult to steer through the corners now became hard to keep under control.   All the while, Spencer was left to battle Jeff Green, Jeff Gordon, Mike Skinner and Ryan Newman for positions.  Baldwin radioed his driver to try and conserve fuel as best he could, for it was going to be close on making it to the end

It didn't.  With less than two laps remaining, the car began to sputter, and Spencer knew his gas tank was empty.  He hit pit road, got a splash of gas, and got the No. 7 re-fired and back on the track.  By that time, the checkered flag was waving.

"It was a gamble we had to take," Baldwin said.  "We really had no choice.  If there would've been another caution in the last 90 or so laps, we could've taken on a splash of gas if we wanted.  But that's life.  The way the day ended is frustrating, but considering we only had 10 laps of practice this weekend, we learned some stuff about our car for next time.  We had a good run going, and that's something we can build on."

SPENCER'S THOUGHTS:  "We got the car decent, but I never felt like I had any horsepower going down the straights.  They were beating me pretty good on the straights, and our car seemed to get a really good push off of (turn) two.  We've now lost 100 points in two races, and that's a lot.  But these kinds of days are going to happen, and the best thing we can do is learn from it and get better.  We were hoping for a top 15, and I know we had a car capable of that.  I look at some of the cars that ended up in the top 10, and I know we were better than them."

IT COULD'VE BEEN WORSE:  Just ask the eight members of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team, whose pre-race show turned into a major scare when they jumped into winds that reached upward 40 miles per hour.  As a result, the landings became dangerous, if not life threatening.  Two jumpers landed in the garage area, one hitting hard onto a team transporter.  One landed outside the track near a souvenir trailer, and another took a hard fall onto the track in between turn four and the start/finish line.

Three of the eight were transported to area hospitals, one of which was airlifted to Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte for further observation.  The five other members were seen and released in the infield care center at the Speedway.

RACING WITH HEAVY HEARTS:  Each member of the SIRIUS Racing Team wore pink ribbons on their uniforms Sunday in memory of Stephanie Huffman, daughter of Ultra Motorsports shop foreman J.W. Bartok.  Huffman died last Tuesday of breast cancer at the age of 31.  The No. 7 SIRIUS Dodge also donned a special decal that read, "In loving memory of Stephanie Huffman."

"It's tough to go to the track when you know someone in your racing family is grieving," Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith said.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with J.W.  He's a vital part of this team, and we're going to help him in any way we can."

FINAL NUMBERS:  With his 28th-place finish, Spencer picked up 79 points in the NASCAR Winston Cup championship standings, moving him up one spot to 39th … The time of the race was 3 hours, 23 minutes, 29 seconds … Average speed was 117.852 mph …  There were seven caution flags for 46 laps … There were 20 lead changes among 11 drivers, the last being Dale Jarrett's pass of Kurt Busch with three laps remaining.

NEXT ON THE SLATE:  The Winston Cup Series heads west for race 3 of 36.  Sunday's running of the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. (ET) and will be televised live on Fox.

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