Spencer, Ganassi talking about final year of deal

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Jimmy Spencer, who was fired last week from the No. 41 Dodge at Chip Ganassi Racing, said Thursday that he has spoken with Ganassi about resolving the issue of the final year of Spencer's contract.

	Jimmy Spencer says he's still competitive in Winston Cup. Credit: Autostock

Last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, Spencer insisted he had another year, plus an option year, remaining on his contract. Ganassi only said he considered Spencer "a friend of mine" and that he was confident they were parting "on good terms."

Spencer qualified 10th and finished 23rd at Phoenix. Ganassi cited inadequate performance as being at the root of the dismissal. Spencer missed the Daytona 500 to start the season, but rebounded to get into the top 20 by the ninth race of the season.

He never climbed higher than 19th, however, and the team's performance tailed off after mid-season, when Spencer scored the last of only two top-fives this season -- fourth at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona.

"We talked a little bit," Spencer said before qualifying 23rd for Saturday's Ford 300 Busch Series race. "Him and I are trying to figure out how we are going to straighten out the contract for next year.

"Once we have that figured out, that will give me the opportunity to pursue some other opportunities that's out there."

Spencer, a two-time winner in Winston Cup, said one of his biggest issues was the timing of his release, when few top seats are available for 2003.

"To me, I can still drive a Winston Cup car and I can still win," Spencer said. "And until that day (when he doesn't believe it) comes I won't look at quitting.

"I still think I'm competitive and I just feel like that 41 team and myself just didn't get along the way we should've. I still think the world of every one of those crew members but that's life and we have to go on about our business."

	Chip Ganassi has said he considers Jimmy Spencer a friend. Credit: Autostock

Spencer said, unlike Ganassi, he might have a harder time with the relationship. When asked what he anticipated their relationship might be, looking down the road, he simply looked down and shook his head.

"I don't know -- I haven't really thought about it," Spencer said. "I really don't want to talk about that because I just don't think it (firing) was handled right."