"Boorish, pig-headed, stubborn to the point of foolishness - all things that have described Jimmy Spencer in the past." FastMachines, 2004
Some things never change.
Today on "Raceday," host / analyst Jimmy Spencer--sometimes known as the true stupid idiot of NASCAR--basically called Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s sister an egomaniac.
One, because she kept the Earnhardt name when she got married, and two, because she's playing hard ball on negotiating Earnhardt Jr.'s contract with DEI.
Is he kidding?
First of all, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge's negotiating tactics have nothing to do with her ego, as Spencer kept repeating. Her father's legacy and brother's future are at stake, not to mention her own. Everyone knows Junior's a pushover and absolutely needs someone tough in his corner. How does this translate to her having an ego?
Secondly, he came off like a real chauvinist. I'm not typically one to champion women keeping their own names when they get married. Unless ... they have already established a name for themselves or a name has already been established for them. In Earnhardt Elledge's case, it's probably both.
And so her namesake can be used to her benefit. Does that make it about her ego, too? Or does that mean she's knows how to take advantage of what life throws her way?
All I'm saying is, if you were an Earnhardt, and you worked in racing, would you give the name up?
Add bitter, chauvinist pig to the long list of Spencer descriptors.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-15-2007 @ 9:57PM
editor said...
Please take a moment to read this story in detail at TheDalyPlanet.tv, which included the late update of an apology on the air from Spencer. We will be hearing about this story for some time to come.
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4-15-2007 @ 10:43PM
4ever3 said...
Ya, I heard the apology too, but I think he was forced to make it by the SPEED producers.
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4-15-2007 @ 11:58PM
Mindy said...
Not to mention it's none of his business if Kelley keeps the Earnhardt name or not - I would think anyone would expect her too... if Teresa ever remarries, does anyone REALLY expect her to drop the Earnhardt name? I wouldn't even expect a hyphenated or dual last name...
Jimmy had grown on me some over the last year or so, but he took a BIG step backwards in my book this morning...
If I were Junior, I'd want Kelley on my side -- no question about that... if Jimmy had a chance at a solid Cup ride, he would too... I hope he got verbally spanked afterwards...
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4-21-2007 @ 4:24PM
linda mac said...
i used to like you you big idiot now i dont care if i ever see your jug head on t.v. anymore..ur the loser not kelly or dale jr..im sure you will hear my mouth at lowes speedway...loser
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4-16-2007 @ 8:54AM
ryan said...
jimmy. stick to the racing . politics real touchy!!
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4-16-2007 @ 1:23PM
servingwench said...
While I think Spencer has the right voice his opinions, I think his brain should be engaged prior to doing so. To make a sexist comment regarding someone's right to keep their maiden name shows that he stuck in the 50's. To criticize Dale Jr and alienate his "180,000" fans at the speedway and millions more across North America is just stupid.
Junior has always been very laid back, but I don't think he'd take kindly to comments like this being made about his sister. She's the only person who has been with him through everything, and he is very loyal to her.
As for DEI, is Jr was driving for someone else now, DEI would not be a factor in the top 25. They would have Paul Menard, who will be a good driver in a few years, and Michael Waltrip would probably still be their signature racer, as they would have paid him tons to stay. Remember Jr is the one who found Martin Truex Jr.
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4-16-2007 @ 10:27AM
doda said...
Jimmy-Jimmy-Jimmy: You were doing so good minding your manners until you had to add your comments about the DEI debacle. First of all didn't the IMUS lynching teach you anything about the 1st ammendment and corporate America. Due to all of the sponsorship money now involved in NASCAR you have to be quiet and hide your true feelings on the air. Dale senior I am sure wanted to provide a dynasty for his kids but I guess he neglected to write down the specifics in a legal document called a will. Parents , don't forget to make a will while you are healthy , this will avoid future problems for your kids later...
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4-16-2007 @ 10:58AM
yogi martin said...
Does anyone ever take Spencer seriously? I think the question of Dale jr and kelly taking control of DEI is only part of the equation! How much control is Kelly ultimately seeking for herself? If the two are willing to make their share a true 50/50 split between them,I could understand it.I see no way for DEI to avoid the takeover,as Dales options for another seat are so great,it would be the death knell of DEI NOT to agree to it. GOOD LUCK june bug.
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4-16-2007 @ 12:06PM
larry said...
the spencer comments of 4/15 directed at kelly earnhart elledge were really strange. don imus was just fired for making a thoughtless comment, and that seemed to have no effect on spencer's blunt insults towards earnhart elledge. he never defined the nature of the "hardball" she was supposed to be playing with the contract deal with Jr. at DEI, and he was oblivious to the fact that kelly has just undergone surgury for a pancreatic cyst and was still in recovery from it. it was called a benign cyst, but we all know how the nascar family likes to play things down, so no one, including jimmy spencer, knows the real deal. so, he was getting himself in kinda deep there. why he attacked kelly e/e is just baffeling. spencer loves montoya because he races and wrecks anyone he comes in contact with--just like he used to do before he lost all of his rides due to character flaws. thoughtless and ignorant for sure. just unbelievable.
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4-16-2007 @ 12:07PM
Michele said...
No doubt, Jimmy Spencer's comments were unfounded and cheap. Kelley is doing her job as a contract negotiator and it is apparent that a woman who shows such intelligence and tenacity irks him. Spencer is living proof that arrogance and stupidity can fit into the same package.
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4-17-2007 @ 9:32AM
Robert said...
Jimmy , I always felt that when you put your race car out in the parking lot at Talledaga , you should have stayed out there with it. These comments about Kelley only reinforce that notion....might retain that as an option for the future.
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4-16-2007 @ 1:32PM
Cari said...
Egomaniac? Coming from a former Cup driver who "settles" to be the "comic relief" on a weekly TV show rather than just except the his career is over??? HMMM (rolleyes)
I'm fairly sure, Jimmy Spencer doesn't understand the definition of egomaniac.
As far as women who keep their maiden name, WHY can't it be viewed as pride in who they are/their family? (established or not)
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4-16-2007 @ 12:58PM
Peggy said...
I totally agree with comment #3, Jimmy was growing on me but he has taken a big step backwards in my book. Jr. needs to concentrate on driving and he has his sister to do the negotiating. Good Luck and keep up the fight.
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4-17-2007 @ 8:46AM
bill barnhart said...
I have to agree with Smoke, without JR DEI would be a museum.
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4-16-2007 @ 4:10PM
Melissa Meador said...
While I do not necessarily agree with Jimmy Spencer, I cannot believe that anyone would compare him to Imus. There is a HUGE difference between stating an opinion, popular or not, and making a racist comment.
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4-16-2007 @ 6:03PM
Kristin said...
His apology sounds like it was forced by Speed - Jimmy has grown on me too over the past couple years, but his comments were not necessary, and I didn't care for them!
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4-16-2007 @ 8:55PM
larry said...
of all the people to start badmouthing on national t.v., spencer goes after kelly! I heard him say it, and I couldn't believe my ears.
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4-17-2007 @ 3:21AM
Tim Boyle said...
one word to describe spencer: CLOWN
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4-17-2007 @ 10:48AM
Tim Boyle said...
one word to describe spencer: clown
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4-17-2007 @ 3:22AM
Dave J said...
This is the most pathetic thing Spencer has said since he implied that the race junior won after his father died was basically given to him by Nascar, it was what Nascar that wanted junior to win.
Spencer can you say welcome to 7 Eleven pump 4 your on? No the employees at 7-Eleven are smarter. go home you fat idiot
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