Spencer/Leffler UPDATE: during an interview on TNT’s Cup Qaulifying coverage, Jimmy Spencer said his new deal that starts in 2002 is for three-years with his new team (supposedly Chip Ganassi Racing) but he won’t say. Plus from a That’s Racin/AP story: “Jason Leffler then all but confirmed it when he said team owner Chip Ganassi let him go earlier this week. “I was told I was free to start looking for a new ride,” said Leffler, who won his fist career pole last week at Kansas Speedway. “It came as a little bit of a surprise because I have two years left on my contract, but I’ll be OK.” And Spencer said in that his new team was still trying to secure a sponsor for next season(10-4-2001) UPDATE: Car owner [#01 and #40] Chip Ganassi is disputing driver Jason Leffler’s account that he told the rookie he was free to look for another job. Ganassi confirmed the two talked this week over concerns Leffler had with his security. The #01 Dodge is losing its sponsorship at the end of the season. “I am continuing to look for a sponsor for that car and for Jason,” Ganassi said. “He came to me and asked about the situation and that’s what I told him. He then asked if he should look for something else and I told him if he found something, I wouldn’t stand in his way.” Leffler apparently interpreted it as he was being let go from Ganassi despite having another two years left on his contract. That fueled the speculation that Jimmy Spencer has left his Haas-Carter Motorsports team to drive for Ganassi. Ganassi declined to address that, saying only he would announce his drivers for next year at the end of the season. Another scenario could be that Ganassi will field a Grand National car next season and put Leffler in that. Ganassi said that wasn’t imminent(That’s Racin’/AP)(10-7-2001)
