Jimmy Spencer advocates Childress suspension

Jimmy Spencer advocates Childress suspension

Say it ain't so!

Jimmy Spencer, one of the most rough-and-tumble, fight-at-the-drop-of-a-hat guys in garage during his driving days, says NASCAR didn't go far enough in punishing Childress for pummeling Busch.

Spencer, the original Mr. Excitement, is the guy who punched out Busch's brother Kurt at Michigan in 2003, so what gives?

"I don't think NASCAR did enough," Spencer said. "The $150,000 fine was fine, but a three-week suspension would have been more appropriate. He took responsibility for what he did but never apologized for it because he's really not sorry.

"I admire Kyle for not fighting back, and I admire him for staying in the car at Darlington when Kevin Harvick came up to his car. He's the most exciting driver in our sport right now. Yes, he ruffles feathers, but so did Dale Earnhardt. But Earnhardt didn't attack people. I admire Kyle for respecting Childress enough, although he got punched, to not strike him back. It takes a strong person not to hit back. I consider Kyle a strong person for not returning the punch.

"Childress' actions gave the sport the biggest black eye it has had in years. NASCAR did the right thing by fining him but should have come down on him harder. I've been involved in a situation like that and know from experience that it affects the younger generation a lot, especially the kids watching the sport, to know Childress struck a driver."

OK, but what of the haymaker Spencer landed on Kurt Busch's face, as Busch sat in his racecar at Michigan eight years ago?

"I went over the line with Kurt Busch," Spencer admitted. "I made a better person out of Kurt by punching him, but I also know I shouldn't have touched him. I've been in many brawls, and nobody benefits from it. Kurt learned his lesson, but so did I, and if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have hit him."

 AS TOLD TO REID SPENCER