NASCAR AIMS TO FINISH INSPECTIONS TODAY

BY TEAM FORD RACING CORRESPONDENT

Daytona Beach, Fla. — There was no quick way through the inspection lines at Daytona International Speedway as the NASCAR Winston Cup inspectors tackled the 49 entries, each looking for the unfair advantage, for the Daytona 500.

The process, with inspectors’ great attention to every detail, has turned-up several spring violations that’ll likely result in fines for the offending teams, but as of now NASCAR is not being specific regarding confiscated parts.

One crew chief said that it took 8 hours 3 minutes and three runs through the line to get his car cleared for action.

“I think NASCAR is doing a good job at it but it’s taking a long time,” observed Ford Racing’s new NASCAR Field Manager Robin Pemberton regarding the inspection line. “I think the teams are nervous that are further back in the points; and for as long as it’s taking per car the math doesn’t work to get them all done today.”

But completion is NASCAR’s goal so it will keep the garage open until they get what they want. The going money places completion at midnight, but with the line coming to a standstill, for unknown reasons, for more than an hour this afternoon, the witching hour is starting to look conservative.

Asked about the quality of the inspections Pemberton said, “I think they’re doing a good job. They’ve got more stations which means more inspectors. What they need is more templates [to inspect more than one car at a time]. But so far I don’t see anyone getting away with anything worse than anyone else. It’s fairly even.”

SPENCER SUES GANASSI
Jimmy Spencer has filed suit against his former employer, Chip Ganassi in Mecklenburg County, N.C., claiming the terms of an employment contract were not fulfilling. The suit seeks $600,000 the difference between Spencer’s salary at Chip Ganassi Racing and the amount Spencer settled on with his new employer, Ultra Motorsports.

Spencer is also seeking more than $10,000 for the harm he believes inflicted by the owner of the No. 41 car. Spencer alleges Ganassi’s agreement with Busch Series team owner James Finch for his two rookie drivers forced Spencer from the BGN deal he had with Finch during 2002 and intended to continue in 2003.

Spencer is referring all questions to his North Carolina attorney, but according to Felix Sabates, who is a partner in Ganassi’s Winston Cup operation, Spencer has no contract that covers the 2003 season; and that the team’s obligations to Spencer were fulfilled at the conclusion of the 2002 season.

“We don’t have a contract with Spencer. He never signed it,” Sabates insisted. “He’s got no argument with us. He never signed the contract.”

MCDEAL IN THE MAKING
According to Larry McReynolds his pending deal to form a team with Wally Dallenbach is still alive and well. Furthermore, the two have been talking regularly about potential sponsors and various scenarios.

The pair hopeto put together a part-time effort for the second half of the season that will have Dallenbach driving Busch and perhaps truck series entries while McReynolds provides technical expertise and management services.

The deal is largely dependant on the duo finding sponsorship dollars. McReynolds said, “A deal isn’t a deal until all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed and the ink is dry.”