Checker Auto Parts 500 Notebook: Busch settles for 22nd after a run-in with Spencer

Monday, Oct. 29, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- For three-quarters of Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, Kurt Busch was having one of his strongest runs of his NASCAR Winston Cup rookie season.

Then he had a little run-in with Jimmy Spencer, the driver they call "Mr. Excitement."

Busch drove his No. 97 Roush Racing Ford from the 41st starting position to 12th place by lap 221 of the 312-lap race. He was running 14th on lap 255 when Spencer, who was a lap down, tapped Busch's car in the rear and turned him sideways. Ryan Newman, who had nowhere to go as cars were maneuvering to avoid Busch, ran into the driver's door of Busch's car.

Busch remained on the lead lap, but lost valuable track position when he pitted twice under the caution to fix the body damage. The 23-year-old Las Vegas native had to settle for a 22nd-place finish.

"(Spencer) was changing lanes like an old lady changes slot machines when she ain't winning," Busch said over his radio to crew chief Ben Leslie.

"He's got one coming -- it might not be today, it might not be this year, but he's got one coming."

Team owner Jack Roush said Busch is paying the price rookies often pay in the Winston Cup Series.

"Kurt's having a rough year with his being junior in this senior league here," Roush said. "But he'll earn the respect and those guys will eventually give him racing room and if they won't, they'll someday pay a price for it.

"I think that this sport, these established guys, exact a price on rookies and if rookies will tippy-toe around and stay out of everybody's way and not make too much noise, they'll be tolerated. If (rookies) race wheel-to-wheel in good cars, then (the veterans are) likely to try to spoil their day -- more than they would one another."

With four races remaining, Gordon holds a 380-point lead over Rudd and needs only to finish 24th or better in the remaining races to clinch the championship.

"We did what we had to do for the championship but I'm certainly not happy with it," Gordon said of his finish. "We had real good track position early on in the race and that's what it took.

"We had a good racecar and we just need to keep fine-tuning on it and keep up with the racetrack. Unfortunately, we got behind and just couldn't make up enough. but we came back to sixth, so we'll that that."

It marked Gordon's 23rd top-10 finish in 32 races this season and his seventh top-10 in nine races at PIR.

"It is in our team's best interest to make whatever change we could to improve our performance," Donlavey said prior to the race. "I decided to replace the driver, Hut Stricklin, with Rick Mast.

"We received a registered letter (Saturday) informing us that Hills Brothers Coffee does not agree with my decision and is terminating their contract with us effective immediately. They asked us to remove all identification from the car and we are complying."

Mast finished 25th Sunday.