Spenser not disciplined

[miami_fan]

http://espn.go.com/rpm/wc/2004/0201/1725029.html

Sunday, February 1
Updated: February 2, 2:12 PM ET
Spencer: They bombed Pearl Harbor
Associated Press



Spencer
NASCAR will not penalize driver Jimmy Spencer for a remark about the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor or his hope that Toyota's venture into truck racing will be a failure.

"That's Jimmy Spencer," NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said Sunday when asked about comments the outspoken driver made last week about Toyota's entry into Craftsman Truck competition.

They "bombed Pearl Harbor, don't forget," the San Antonio Express-News quoted the 46-year-old driver as saying during media day at Texas Motor Speedway.

"As long as it's good for the economy, I guess it's OK," said Spencer, who added that he was rooting for Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge to humiliate Toyota.

The Associated Press was unable to reach Spencer for comment Sunday night. Toyota officials did not return calls from the AP.

Although Hunter said Spencer is not in any trouble with the sanctioning body, he emphasized that NASCAR does not share the driver's opinion.

"He sometimes has a view of the world that is not consistent with the rest of the world and he is certainly known for putting his opinions out there," Hunter said.

Toyota's entry this year marks the first time a foreign-headquartered manufacturer will compete in any of the top three NASCAR series. Toyota is racing against the three American manufacturers with its new Tundra pickup trucks.

"Toyotas are now made in the USA and they met all the criteria to compete in the truck series," Hunter said. "And actually, we think it is going to add at least four new teams and it's going to add excitement to the truck series."

Toyota, which had success in a brief and low-key run in NASCAR's now-defunct Goody's Dash compact car series, has put together a four-team, seven-truck fleet to compete this year on the Craftsman circuit. Its first race will be Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway.

Spencer won a truck race in New Hampshire last season in a Dodge. He lost the primary sponsorship for his Cup program at the end of the year, but plans to race in the season-opening Daytona 500 and at least four other events while seeking new backing.

A 15-year NASCAR veteran with two career victories in what now is the Nextel Cup series, Spencer has been in some trouble with the sanctioning body. A long-running feud with Kurt Busch boiled over last August at Michigan International Speedway, with Spencer punching Busch in the face in the garage area after the two bumped and banged on the track late in a race.

Spencer was fined and suspended for one race weekend and Busch was fined


I may be the only one but I love the reaction of NASCAR. Could I expect to see Tags saying that "that is just Sapp being Sapp" or Selig saying "that is just Rocker being Rocker" in the near future?

[Glengoyne]

Did he say anything that isn't true?

Also don't fans and drivers bash other makes of cars as well. I don't see why it should even be a deal at all.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

Did he say anything that isn't true?

Also don't fans and drivers bash other makes of cars as well. I don't see why it should even be a deal at all.

The truth of the statement has never been considered when leagues fine or suspend athletes

[sabotai]

Well, as for the truth of the statement, it seems like he was directing his comments at the Japanese in general. I don't think there are many, if any, Japanese people still alive who actively participated in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. So it's just a ignorant, "redneck" thing to say.

But, having said that, I love this response from NASCAR. They get a + in the PR department from me.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by sabotai

I don't think there are many, if any, Japanese people still alive who actively participated in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. So it's just a ignorant, "redneck" thing to say.

Absolutely there are some still alive. That really wasn't my point. The Japanese did attack Pearl Harbor, and Americans still resent the fact that they did it before declaring war. I mean he made a legitimate tongue in cheek remark. You see I know he doesn't hold the people at Toyota responsible for bombing Pearl Harbor, and I think it is safe to say that no one really believes that's his position. This is yet another example of people looking for an opportunity to be offended.

Redneck or not, he said it in sarcasm, not ignorance.

[SunDancer]

sadly, toyota is more "american" then us-cars.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

Redneck or not, he said it in sarcasm, not ignorance.

Fair enough. I don't know much about Spencer so I don't know what he's like and if he makes these type of comments in jest or if he really means it.

And FTR, I wasn't offended (don't think you meant that towards me, just making sure for all. ). I did like this response. It'd be nice if more people just came out and said "It's So-And-So, that's the way he is."

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by sabotai

Fair enough. I don't know much about Spencer so I don't know what he's like and if he makes these type of comments in jest or if he really means it.

And FTR, I wasn't offended (don't think you meant that towards me, just making sure for all. ). I did like this response. It'd be nice if more people just came out and said "It's So-And-So, that's the way he is."

My thoughts exactly!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I may be the only one but I love the reaction of NASCAR. Could I expect to see Tags saying that "that is just Sapp being Sapp" or Selig saying "that is just Rocker being Rocker" in the near future?

I doubt it. NASCAR (much to my surprise) simply seems to have realized that taking action against Spencer in this case would not have gone over well with their core audience.

[Butter]

What's Robert Urich got to do with this?