Busch Tired to Cut Spencer’s Tire Down:

Winston Cup driver Kurt Busch made disparaging remarks toward Jimmy Spencer over the radio during last Sunday’s race at Michigan, including an admission he tried to “flatten the  fender” of Spencer’s car, according to a transcript of Busch’s radio conversations with his team. The transcript, obtained by ThatsRacin.com, and the radio version obtained by Speed Channel, covers an exchange Busch made over his radio with his team on Lap 135 of 200. Following the race, Busch stopped his #97 Ford in front of Spencer’s team hauler. Spencer pulled his #7 Dodge in behind Busch, got out of his car and after the two traded obscenities, punched Busch while he was still sitting in his car. On Monday, NASCAR suspended Spencer through Aug. 26, fined him $25,000 and placed him on probation through the end of the year. Busch was also placed on probation. Local authorities in Michigan are still investigating the incident. Both teams appealed the punishments. Spencer’s appeal will be heard at 8:30 a.m. today in Bristol, Tenn., site of Saturday night’s Sharpie 500. Roush’s appeal had not been set as of Tuesday night. When informed of Busch’s remarks Tuesday night, Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president for corporate communications, issued the following statement: “We will let the process run its course.  I am sure the commission will be very thorough and I am sure they will have all the pertinent information.” While Sunday’s race was under caution on Lap 135 and Busch riding on the backstretch, the following exchange took place, which could be picked up on Busch’s team’s scanner frequency: Busch: “See, I’m not very good at being bad. I was trying to flatten the seven car fender and I got mine. I needed to be further forward on his car.” Response from Pit: ” They just showed that on TV. You just missed by about an inch or two Ah, not far enough forward.” Busch: “Inches only count unless you’re playing Horseshoes and hand grenades. Ah, I don’t wanna play either with that clown.” Response from Pit: “I hear ya, man.” Speed Channel planned to air portions of the radio transmissions Monday night at 9 p.m. Eastern on its show, “Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.” Rick Miner, senior vice president of programming/production and executive producer Speed Channel, verified the written transcript with the actual radio broadcast.( ThatsRacin.com )(8-20-2003)