Jimmy Spencer built a reputation as “Mr. Excitement” in NASCAR, grabbing two Cup Series wins at Daytona and Talladega in 1994 with his no-holds-barred style that thrilled fans back in the day. But now that Spencer watches from the sidelines, the sport feels different to him. Today, sports look at money more than real, raw wheelmen, marking a shift in the mentality that’s got old-timers like him shaking their heads.

Spencer has long griped about how modern rules under leaders like Jim France Jr. breed “boring drivers” because he thinks, “They’re weak.” He compared today’s leadership with the rough-and-tumble era of Bill France, where rivalries fueled the fire. But as costs skyrocket, with ARCA rides alone hitting $100,000 a pop, it’s clear money calls too many shots now.

Jimmy Spenc

See Full Page