rpm.espn.com: Good chance for Spencer

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Wednesday, February 13

Good chance for Spencer
ESPN.com

We asked our users how they thought Jimmy Spencer will do in his first season driving for Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. Here are some of the comments:

I think despite Jimmy's poor showing in the Shootout he will finish in the top 10 this season.I also think Jimmy will visit Victory Lane at least twice this season.

Arno Workman
Buckeye, Ariz.

Jimmy Spencer will win at least one WC race during the 2002 season. It's refreshing to have someone who appears to not be afraid to speak his mind. This should be his best season to date.

Mike Ray
Raleigh, N.C.

To tell you the truth, I think that Jimmy will have an unbelievable season. No 1., to have Ganassi/Sabates and the knowledge they bring to the game is the biggest plus, and 2., to have Sterling as a partner and a team that really has the stuff it takes to win, I think are the two main reasons that Spencer's season will be smokin'.

Paul Mathews
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.

Jimmy adds a colorful character to the sport. He is outspoken, sometimes unthinkingly so. He's aggressive. But, he's also reckless. My wife and I groan out loud when one of our favorite drivers get near him on the track. I think he has the courage, but not the talent. Top 15, best case. He's a top-20 driver in a top-10 car.

Steve McGowen
Mobile, Ala.

Jimmy Spencer will, without a doubt, finish in the top 10 in points this season. He has the talent and hardheadedness to win a race or two also. I remember watching him come back to win a Busch race at Bristol from three laps down years ago. Give him good equipment and he WILL win. Hell, Ganassi should bring him to the Indy 500 ... if they can squeeze him into an Indy car!

Jason Scott
Green Bay, Wisc.

Honestly, I think Jimmy will do very well at Ganassi Racing. Chip has the money and the resources to do great things in NASCAR, he has the tools needed to make the cars better and better each and every week, and Jimmy having the experience he has will make the car better and better. Spencer has a great chance to be in the top 10 this season.

Jenny Foland
Flint, Mich.

This could be a match made in heaven as far as an opportunity for Jimmy Spencer, in that the Ganassi-Sabates cars and motors may be just what he needs to "prop him up on the leaning side." But, as another country saying goes, it will also be time to "fish or cut bait." I will make this much of a prediction: Mr. Excitement has the chance he has long awaited, what he does with it with show what he's really made of; and I'm betting the makes the most of it -- a top-10 year.

Jim Bottorff
Mansfield, Ohio

Spencer is a loser and working for Ganassi won't change that. He'll finish in the bottom of the pack until Ganassi cans him and hires a real driver.

Brian Smith
Bangor, Maine

Jimmy represents NASCAR well by the fan with the "raw" truth. Nothing cheers up a rain delay more than a few flavored remarks from the veteran driver. He's one of the drivers that navigates with pure emotion, giving this sport the excitement and sometimes a little humor. Behind the wheel, I bet he is INTENSE. Hope he does well this year. Maybe new owners will spark a new flame in this driver!

Hagen ONeil
Buchanan, Mich.

If Jimmy Spencer is ever going to have an opportunity to possibly win a race and/or finish even close to the top 10, now is his chance. Chip Ganassi owns successful teams and some of it could rub off on Jimmy. It might take some time for the new team to gel but Jimmy's hard-charging style coupled with a well managed team could be the right combination.

B J Gadola
Poconos, Pa.

Spencer's season won't be any different than any of his other seasons. You will see a lot of mangled sheet metal and destruction of good race cars. Watch and see, this guy could wreck an anvil in a sand pit!

Roy Thweatt
Las Vegas

He may have a better season but, I hope not. We don't need personalities like his in the sport.

Jim Rayl
Canon City, Colo.

I am a Spencer fan so I hope he does well. Your comment about going as far as he could with Travis Carter was right on and he is now with a premier team. I am a little concerned that it is a brand new team and I expect some tough times early on. We will see how this team handles those tough times.

Kyle Gabovitz
Buckingham, Va.

With Jimmy Spencer's talent and desire, I've believed that all he's really needed was a good team behind him. Chip Ganassi's Target Racing is such a team and together they will have a very successful year with Spencer ending his long winless streak in the 2002 season.

Eugene Sylvia
Stroudsburg, Pa.

	Driver Spotlight: Jimmy Spencer Winston Cup off-season driver spotlight index