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Users: Gas and Go's full of hot air

We shared our thoughts on the Jimmy Spencer-Kurt Busch situation last week in Gas and Go. Many of our users also had plenty to say on the subject. Here are some of the comments ... along with some of our retorts!


You at Gas and Go seem to be blind to the many verbal assaults off the track and the documented attempts to wreck Jimmy Spencer by Kurt Busch. I can't believe you think Busch was put on probation for the "fight." NASCAR had the tapes of his on-track assaults and his radio exchange with his crew commenting on his attempt to damage Jimmy's car. Jimmy had also been informed of this overheard conversation. When Busch ran out of gas right in front of Jimmy's hauler after refueling three laps before, he was obviously looking for trouble. After an exchange of obscenities, he got what he deserved. When a fund is started to pay Jimmy's fine, it will be greatly oversubscribed, with a bunch left over for charity. Just my opinion, as a race fan since the early '50s.

Robert Butler
Germantown, Tenn.

Editor's reply: It's not about what we think. NASCAR made it perfectly clear that Busch was put on probation for his post-race run-in with Spencer and not his on-track actions at Michigan. Maybe they're lying -- we're just going by what Mike Helton and Co. said in last week's press release, which we quoted in Gas and Go.


Regarding a statement made in the article "Action and mis-action". ... "Based upon that, Spencer's one-race penalty is obscenely light."

No, it isn't a one-race penalty. Please do your homework. He was suspended from competing in ANY NASCAR sanctioned event through August 26. That includes Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series races. For Spencer, that's a three race penalty. He was entered into Wednesday night's O'Reilly 200 Craftsman Truck Series Race, and was entered into Friday night's Busch Series Food City 250. A one race penalty? No.

Rich Fenwick
Champaign, Ill.

Editor's reply: You are right. It was three races, not one. Our bad for not being clear on that one, but the sentiment remains the same. And the Cup race is without a doubt the main event during a NASCAR weekend.


Violence is not the answer in any sport. But to me, Kurt Busch's repeated violent acts of using a 3400-pound weapon at 200 mph against the fender of a fellow competitor (and then hiding behind the tired old 'its just racin' excuse) is far more criminal than Jimmy Spencer's use of his fist. Drivers on public roadways are subject to criminal charges with names like "vehicular assault" and "vehicular manslaughter" if they use their cars as weapons against others. Fists look pretty pale in comparison.

Spencer deserved his fine and suspension for a week. Busch deserves suspension, a fine, and forfeiture of championship points at a minimum. This talented kid has the potential to be in the sport for many more years if he doesn't kill himself or another driver with his on-track aggression. NASCAR should try to get him under control before the unthinkable does happen.

Steve
Austin, Texas

Editor's reply: Well said. Busch might have deserved a tougher penalty -- or any penalty, for that matter -- for his on-track actions. Busch never did say he was trying to wreck Spencer, however. Doesn't mean he wasn't trying to -- he just didn't quite say that he was. Important distinction.

height=90 align=right alt="Jimmy Spencer">
Spencer

Whoever writes for G&G ... you're an idiot. Really, a nine-year-old can write better than that! You actually used the phrase "C'mon people ..." when addressing the reader(s). I'm guessing there won't be a Pulitzer in your future. Maybe you should re-read your column every once in awhile before sending it out and your readers won't be so irritated with your bad grammer (sic) and poorly compiled op-ed style.

TLCONN
Washington, D.C.

Editor's reply: Not bad grammar. Rather, a style choice. And in your opinion, a bad choice. That's fair -- you have that right. Now me go to more e-mail answer to give.


Spencer's suspension is a damn joke. NASCAR made it even worse. They suspended him one pathetic week. They try and make it sound like what Busch did was so bad but I remember a guy named Dale Earnhardt doing that all the time. You didn't see people running and punching him through the window for it. I remember them suspending Kevin Harvick for his driving and he didn't pull anything like that. Spencer totally crossed the line and NASCAR basically said it's OK. Let go of your emotions, act like a total jackass, spend one week on the sideline and then you can come back as though you did nothing wrong. It's crap. Grow up. It's all part of the sport. Look at how many drivers nudge each other on purpose each week. Its ridiculous in my opinion and NASCAR did nothing but show their approval of what Spencer did in my opinion. Why would they do something like that?

Heath
Arvada, Colo.

Editor's reply: Wait, a user who more or less agrees with what we wrote last week? We need to sit down ...


So Busch tries to crash into Spencer (potentially causing an accident and possible injury or death), and that's less serious than punching some punk out? Hey, men occasionally settle matters with their fists. Something you wouldn't know about.

Dave Randall
West Frankfort, Ill.

Editor's reply: We said Busch being put on probation for being punched -- and that is the reason NASCAR gave -- is ridiculous. Never said Busch didn't deserve to be sanctioned for his driving. As for how men settle matters -- men sucker-punch other men when they are strapped into their cars and essentially defenseless? Must have missed that lesson in man school.


In a fight isn't the person who throws the first punch the one who receives the most punishment? If that is the case, Kurt Busch threw the first punch with his actions on the track and admission on his radio. He should receive at least the same punishment.

Walt Loughman
Newark Ohio

Editor's reply: Fair point. If you think that Busch's actions were totally out of line -- and many people do -- then Busch should have been suspended.


Who writes this garbage? This stuff about Spencer and Busch? You guys say it's a worse offense to punch a guy as opposed intentionally wreckin' him at 150-plus mph? What kind of logic is that? You guys probably think Days of Thunder was a realistic movie with that "rubbin' is racin'" crap. NASCAR is too worried about the corporate image and the big dollars, which makes the old school racers like Spencer few and far between. It's a shame!

Bob
Tacoma, Wa.

Editor's reply: Again, Busch never said he was trying to wreck Spencer. If he was, Busch should be subject to NASCAR punishment and not Spencer's home-brewed version of revenge. As for Days of Thunder, Tom Cruise's demonstration of how to work the draft was priceless! Meanwhile, who has more career wins, "old school" Spencer or Kurt Busch?

height=90 align=right alt="Kurt Busch">
Busch

Who in the world writes these articles? In response to your views on Busch/Spencer, you all obviously have not been following NASCAR very long. For NASCAR NOT to suspend Busch for publicly admitting to trying to ruin another competitor's car is an insult to Spencer's team and crew who worked long hours to prepare that car. Seems to me that sticking up for your team is a noble characteristic to have. Take notice as well that Spencer apologized and was remorseful for his actions; Busch has yet to apologize for trying to purposely run a competitor into the wall. All he wants to do is whine about his broken tooth. I suppose that since you are a Busch sympathizer that this probably won't make any sense to you though.

Rob
Pennsylvania

Editor's reply: See above explanations of what Busch did and did not admit to. Is there some nobility to sticking up for your team? Sure. But is there nobility in punching a guy who can't defend himself, no matter what the justification?


Jimmy Spencer needs the dog on his car to dig him a hole and bury him. "Mr. Excitement" could better described as "Mr. Disappointment." NASCAR
should have suspended him for at least a month for his beating of Kurt Busch. I guess NASCAR needs to keep "also-rans" like Spencer around because of sponsor dollars.

Darren Schreiber
Cincinnati

Editor's reply: To do an about-face, Spencer is certainly colorful. And he does know how to drive a race car. But really, it shouldn't be shocking that Spencer was involved in an incident like this -- nor is it surprising that Busch's tactics and attitude precipitated Spencer's actions.


If Jimmy Spencer's punishment was not severe enough and Kurt Busch's was too severe by NASCAR, then what do you think the punishments should have been for Yarborough and Allison on the last lap of the Daytona 500 back in the '70s? And Allison's brother for joining in the fun? All had their helmets on and no one was hurt and that incident alone helped NASCAR achieve a major step in popularity and television coverage

G.S. Johnson
Pasadena, Calif.

Editor's reply: So the ends justify the means? The Allison-Yarborough incident is now a classic. But that was a different time, a different era. Dale Earnhardt's tragic death also spurred a greater interest in the sport, but there's not a driver or fan who wouldn't want to use some magic rewind button ...


Who is the guy, who obviously has never strapped his butt in a race car was dumb enough to say that even though it is a fact that Busch said he ran into Spencer on purpose it is not justification for punching him. That is one of the dumbest statements I have ever listened to. You can do a lot more damage (the kind that kills people) with a race car than your fist and in closing the unspoken rule of what happens between the drivers stays between the drivers needs to be used.

Steve Dunn
Phoenix

Editor's reply: Bump and run. Getting a guy loose. Taking the air off his bumper. As our friend Bob from Tacoma quoted above, rubbin's racin'. Busch might have gone too far with his on-track actions, but what he did is more or less, for better or worse, part of racing. Punching another driver, however, is not part of racing.


You need to stay away from the track. I believe the fumes have clouded your ability to think. Your take on the Spencer incident seems to be that it's OK to try to purposely damage or wreck someone while at speeds of close to 200 mph. No chance of injury or even death there, right?! What a joke. Using that way of thinking, I guess when Jimmy comes back, you will have no problem with him putting Kurt into the wall. The big difference will be that Kurt would just bawl and whine about it; and we would all feel sorry for him. Well, everyone but me. Jimmy should've knocked his teeth down his throat. Maybe that would shut Kurt up for at least a while.

Ron
Port Royal, Pa

Editor's reply: We didn't excuse Busch's actions. Just said punishment for being punched was silly. And it was.


This sport would not be where it is today if not for the older guys. The young guns of NASCAR need to show a little respect.I'm not a fan of Jimmy Spencer, but NASCAR did not do anything about the escalating feud. In my option Busch should have been suspended also, knowing full well by agitating Jimmy It would cause a confrontation. Busch is just as guilty as Spencer

Brian Martins
Carneys Point, N.J.

Editor's reply: That's a popular and possibly accurate knock on Busch -- he doesn't show enough respect to his fellow competitors. And he certainly hasn't shown Spencer any respect over the past year or so. But many argue that that Spencer's been just as disrespectful to Busch.


Whoever wrote that Jimmy Spencer made a "fool of himself" is a blind jerk. The tapes of Kurt Busch openly discussing his on-track intentions of hitting Spencer were played on national TV. Not only that, Busch caused the fiery wreck involving Kenny Wallace earlier in the race. Busch is a menace and arrogantly talks trash like the playground little brat he is. So, Mr. "Sportswriter," now that the tape was played, how stupid are you, or are you just another Kurt Busch fan?

Danny Heller
Berwick, Pa.

Editor's reply: You are from Berwick so you have the right to pull for your hometown guy. Heck, we're in Bristol! (OK, Connecticut, not Tennessee). Can't we be both stupid and another Kurt Busch fan? Look, whatever the justification, Spencer was way out of line in punching Busch (who, by the way, we've never described as a being model citizen). And really, you shouldn't make fun of the blind. Or jerks.

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