Seven Years Ago, Perhaps the Best Feud Erupted

It was seven years ago today that one of the better rivalries in NASCAR history had erupted. However, it did not begin this day.

In 2001 at Phoenix International Raceway, Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer, then in the No. 26 K-Mart Ford for Travis Carter, had made a little contact. They would carry this anger over to the following year at a track tempers get hot, Bristol Motor Speedway.

It was Busch's second full year in Jack Roush's No. 97 Ford.

Spencer had gotten a brand new ride in the No. 41 Target Dodge for newly formed Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.

Spencer's 2002 season had gotten off to a rocky start.

He missed the Daytona 500, when he was involved in an accident in his Gatorade Twin 125. With no attempts or owner points to fall back on, Spencer missed the 500.

He would run well at Las Vegas and finish 10th. However, it was the 2002 Food City 500 that would be Spencer's best chance at winning for the first time since 1994.

Busch's 2002 season had gotten off to a better start. He finished fourth in the Daytona 500, and ran well in all five races before the Food City 500.

Busch, for fans who do not remember, had a cocky streak that did not sit well with some of his fellow competitors. Spencer was a northern boy from Pennsylvania, and was known for a big mouth and hot temper.

All of these things came into one on March 24, 2002, when Spencer was leading the Food City 500 at Bristol. 

He was leading with 56 laps to go, when Busch's No. 97 moved Spencer's No. 41 out of the way, almost spinning him out. Spencer saved it, but by that time it was too late. The mission was accomplished.

Busch had performed the "Bump and Run" at Bristol and sped away to his first career victory. Fans at Bristol booed Busch when he got out of his car. Spencer, who ended up second, said "Jimmy Spencer never forgets!" when he got out of his car.

Spencer never did.

Along the course of 2002-2003, Spencer and Busch would have several battles. At Michigan in 2003, the pot had boiled over for Spencer.

Spencer's No. 7 had run well all day that afternoon. Then Busch bumped Spencer's front end and dented his fender. Spencer pitted and ruined his day to check for the damage.

After the 2003 GFS Marketplace 400, Spencer's car was right behind Busch's car going into the garage area. Spencer then bumped Kurt's No. 97, and Busch nearly hit a crew man after the bump.

An argument ensued. Busch and Spencer yelled at each other, and Spencer punched him right in the nose after the race.

After the incident Spencer was quoted of saying, "He dented my fender, so I dented his face!"

NASCAR suspended Spencer for the incident, for the following weeks race at Bristol. The feud was all but over.

All because of a little bump and run six years ago at Bristol Motor Speedway.