Jimmy Spencer
A native of Berwick, Pennsylvania, “Mr. Excitement” began his racing career in 1976 in the Late Model division at Port Royal Speedway. But Jimmy Spencer soon advanced to paved track Modifieds, and in 1984 chased Richie Evans for 60 some races, ending up second behind the “Rapid Roman” for the NASCAR National Modified title.
When NASCAR changed the division’s format in 1985, Spencer competed in 25 of the 29 races, won four and finished eighth in the standings. But the next two years, racing the full Modified schedule, Jimmy twice took home the big trophy emblematic of the Whelen Modified Tour championship.
Spencer’s next move was to the then Busch, now Xfinity, Series, where in 211 starts, he won 12 times.
But Jimmy wasn’t done, moving to the NASCAR Cup series in 1989. His 18-year Cup career included 478 starts for several different teams. But the real highlight was his two restrictor plate victories in 1994, first at the Daytona Pepsi 400 and just weeks later in the Talladega DieHard 500.
Never afraid to voice his opinion, Jimmy always gave the reporters something to write about. Perhaps we can persuade him to recall one summons to Bill France Sr.’s office…
Along the way Jimmy also become a TV celebrity, with reoccurring appearances on several NASCAR-themed magazine format programs. His “best” TV work may have been his weekly “Crying Towel” award for dubious actions or incidents in the previous Sunday’s race.
When NASCAR changed the division’s format in 1985, Spencer competed in 25 of the 29 races, won four and finished eighth in the standings. But the next two years, racing the full Modified schedule, Jimmy twice took home the big trophy emblematic of the Whelen Modified Tour championship.
Spencer’s next move was to the then Busch, now Xfinity, Series, where in 211 starts, he won 12 times.
But Jimmy wasn’t done, moving to the NASCAR Cup series in 1989. His 18-year Cup career included 478 starts for several different teams. But the real highlight was his two restrictor plate victories in 1994, first at the Daytona Pepsi 400 and just weeks later in the Talladega DieHard 500.
Never afraid to voice his opinion, Jimmy always gave the reporters something to write about. Perhaps we can persuade him to recall one summons to Bill France Sr.’s office…
Along the way Jimmy also become a TV celebrity, with reoccurring appearances on several NASCAR-themed magazine format programs. His “best” TV work may have been his weekly “Crying Towel” award for dubious actions or incidents in the previous Sunday’s race.