NASCAR BGN: Spencer returns to the driver's seat at Chicagoland
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
July 11, 2001
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When Sam's Club Presents the Hills Bros Coffee 300 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series event at Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway, it will mark the return of #1 Yellow Racing driver Jimmy Spencer.
Due to NASCAR Winston Cup Series commitments, Spencer has not driven for Team Yellow Racing since his June 1st victory in the MBNA Platinum 200 at Dover (Del.) Downs International Speedway. During the time away from the #1 Yellow Chevrolet, Spencer had the opportunity to test his #26 Winston Cup race car at the new 1.5-mile D-shaped tri-oval on June 27 and 28.
"It’s a real smooth, fast race track," said Spencer as he described the Chicagoland Speedway. "It reminds me a lot of Atlanta Motor Speedway. It’s just a little narrower. It should put on a good race this weekend.
"The tires won’t be an issue at Chicagoland. They will outlast a fuel tank, which means that pit strategy will play an important role Saturday. New tires aren’t necessarily going to help a whole lot. Race scenarios will determine whether teams need two or four tires during a pit stop. Pit stops will focus more on chassis adjustments."
Learning how to handle new race tracks is a necessary evil for NASCAR drivers. The new challenges also mean new markets to promote the sport of auto racing. Spencer supports NASCAR’s expansion into new markets and hopes to make the best out of this weekend’s trip to the "Windy City."
"We need these big markets," said Spencer. "I’m also excited about adding Kansas City. Originally, Chicago and Kansas City race fans had to travel long distances to see us. Now you just draw a circle two hundred miles around the track and NASCAR is in a lot of people’s backyards. We drivers have new race tracks to race on and new fans to meet."
This weekend isn’t just a business trip for Spencer. Even though he is racing in both the Busch and the Winston Cup events, he and his family will still find time to explore the city of Chicago.
"I’m looking forward to this weekend," said Spencer. "Chicago is one of the great towns in our country. Everyone wants to visit it. It will be more exciting now that we’re racing in front of NASCAR fans. There’s a lot of sports history in Chicago; the Cubbies (Chicago Cubs), the Bulls, the White Sox and now NASCAR. This is a significant achievement for our sport.
"I’m definitely going to visit downtown Chicago. I’m making a trip to Soldier Field (home of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears.) I’m going to catch the Cubs at Wrigley just to see what’s going on over there.
Text provided by Chris Hunt
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