Spencer pulling out all stops at Darlington

CONCORD, N.C. -- Jimmy Spencer has never been one to bite his tongue or slow his driving style.

Don't look for that to happen anytime soon after Spencer scored a Busch Series win and a Winston Cup top-10 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway this past weekend.

"Anytime you win it raises spirits," Spencer said. "You look forward to getting in the race car again because you want more. Winning makes you greedy. You win once, you want a second. You win twice, you want a third. I've won 12 times now in the Busch Series and I want more.

JIMMY SPENCER • Winston Cup Driver Page • Busch Driver Page • 2002 Winston Cup Stats • 2002 Busch Stats • Video Highlights

With a Busch Series race and Winston Cup Series race on tap for "Mr. Excitement" this weekend at Darlington Raceway, he's ready to live up to his nickname.

"I'm not slowing down anymore," Spencer said. "From here on out, it's no prisoners. If the engine blows -- it blows. If I wreck -- I wreck. I'm going as fast as the car will take me.

"I feel that sitting back and being patient has cost me two wins in Winston Cup this year. There are times when you need to be patient, like when you're in the middle of a pack, or when you're racing close with other cars.

"But, if I'm leading the race, I'm going to try to leave everyone else behind --- pure and simple. I'll go as far as the car will take me. If something breaks, so be it. I'll race another day."

Spencer has two career Winston Cup Series wins and 12 Busch victories to his credit. With a track like Darlington ahead of him, you have to wonder what can happen when an excited Spencer meets the "Lady in Black."

"Of all the tracks I go to, I respect Ol' Lady Darlington the most," Spencer said. "She can be your worst nightmare and she hands out those Darlington stripes on a regular basis. That's why they call her 'The Lady in Black.'

"It's just a treacherous place to race. The fans get their money's worth, no question about it. It's a racetrack the drivers either come out saying, 'I'm really, really happy,' or saying, 'Boy I just had a terrible day. I'm glad we're out of here.'"