NASCAR BGN: Spencer hopes to carry momentum into Southern California
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 8, 2001
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After a 2nd place finish in the Subway 300 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last weekend, #1 Yellow Racing driver Jimmy Spencer hopes to carry his momentum 3,000 miles across the country to the California Speedway, site of Saturday’s Auto Club 300 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series event.
Saturday’s race will be Spencer’s fifth event with Phoenix Racing this year. The #1 Yellow Racing Team posted its first top five at Talladega and Spencer believes it was long overdue.
"I’ve raced the Yellow Racing Chevrolet four times this season and I feel that we should have four top-five finishes," said Spencer. "I can’t complain about working with Phoenix Racing. Each week we’ve had a race car capable of winning the race. Sometimes situations during an event don’t let you show how good your race car is. The difference at Talladega was that we finally had some things go our way.
"The key is that we’re improving each week. I’ve always liked James Finch (#1 car owner) and the guys he has working for him. Marc (Reno, crew chief) and I get along great together. He does an outstanding job with the guys and they’ve been improving the pit stops every week. I think that the Yellow Racing Team can win a few races this season."
One might think that with just four weekends together, Spencer and the #1 Yellow Racing Team would need more time to adjust. "Not so," said Spencer. He already has a long history with Reno. It just happens to be with another team.
"Marc and I worked together at Moroso Racing in the Busch Series in 1992," said Spencer. "We won two races with car owner Dick Moroso. We should have won a lot more. Marc did a great job that year.
"We made three laps up a Myrtle Beach and eventually won that race," said Spencer, a twinkle in his eye. "I’ll never forget celebrating that win in victory lane with Mark and Dick. Dick told me ‘We can now close a chapter to our book.’ It was a big victory for him because I was the first driver to win in his race car since his son’s (Robbie Moroso) tragic death a year earlier. It was a special time for me."
With the bond that Reno and Spencer have already established, the #1 Yellow Racing Team hopes to continue their success no matter how far from home the track is, even if they have to travel 3,000 miles.
Text provided by Chris Hunt
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