Feud erupts again between Busch-Spencer

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer have entered another chapter into their ongoing saga.

This time, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the venue, and Turn 3 was the spot.

On lap 36 of the Brickyard 400, Busch had just made a pass of Spencer on the backstretch.

When Busch entered Turn 3 of the 2.5-mile oval, Spencer appeared to get into the left-rear corner of Busch's Ford. The back end lifted slightly and then snapped around, resulting in the car's left side making hard contact with the outside soft wall.

Busch climbed from his crumpled ride and calmly leaned against it, waiting for the field to circle by under caution. When Spencer came by, Busch was standing in the groove and opened his arms as Spencer went by.

Next week at Watkins Glen, before the cars take the track, NASCAR officials will meet with Busch, Spencer, Jack Roush and Chip Ganassi to discuss the situation.

The next time by, Busch was waiting for Spencer again. Busch pointed to the seat of his driver's uniform signaling he wanted Spencer sent to the back of the pack.

"We've been having trouble with Turn 3 and spun during qualifying and that put us in a bad position," Busch said. "Back there with the decrepit old has-beens -- I guess.

"It's just been a tough break. He calls out what he's going to do and then actually goes out there and does it. I guess 'never-was' is really the term we need to bring up today."

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This is the third on-track dispute between Busch and Spencer.

During the Phoenix race in 2001, the two made contact, and Busch alleged Spencer wrecked him out of the race.

In Bristol in 2002, Busch was leading the race, and Spencer nudged Busch out of the way to take the lead. One lap later, Busch moved Spencer out of the way and cruised to the victory. Spencer finished second.

Busch recalled the Bristol incident vividly.

"It's tough when you bump somebody at 100 mph and then when they come back and bump you at 200 mph," Busch said. "If that's the way Jimmy Spencer is, we know how he is, and we're not going to play like that."

Busch was summoned to the NASCAR trailer after the race but no details of any punishment or possible fines were available immediately after the race. Spencer left the track before he could be reached for a comment.

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"I'm called into the NASCAR trailer because there's probably going to be a discussion between the No. 97 and No. 41 car and we're going to discuss what needs to happen," Busch said. "I didn't think there was much of an issue after Bristol.

"You can ask every race fan and official out there. And, every crew guy out there and everybody that has anything to do with racing, and see that there wasn't an issue at Bristol --- except for Jimmy Spencer's mind because he has the brain of a peanut.

Busch finished 41st and fifth to 10th in the points standings.

"We'll bounce back," Busch said. "Jimmy Spencer doesn't know the first thing about points racing, so there's nothing to be concerned about. We'll be alright."

Staff writer Marty Smith contributed to this report.