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Jimmy Spencer's appeal of his one-week NASCAR suspension for punching Kurt Busch was denied Wednesday, meaning "Mr. Excitement'' will be parked this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
In upholding the penalty, the National Stock Car Racing Commission found that regardless of "alleged provocation or the exact magnitude of the physical contact, an inappropriate line had been crossed.''
Spencer was suspended from all NASCAR-sanctioned events through Aug. 26 after the altercation with Busch at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. He was also fined $25,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year.
A three-member panel of the commission, which heard the appeal Wednesday, said Spencer "made a compelling argument, expressing remorse and acknowledging that his actions were wrong.''
However, the commission noted that NASCAR previously warned Spencer about his relationship with Busch and had been "put on notice'' to tone it down.
Ted Musgrave was on NASCAR's entry list to replace Spencer in the Busch Series and Winston Cup races at Bristol. The truck that Spencer was to race Wednesday night was pulled from the entry list.
Bristol is the site of one of his first altercations with Busch, who bumped Spencer out of the way to score his first career victory in 2002.
"I hate to see Jimmy not going to Bristol,'' driver Dale Jarrett said. "He has always found that a place that he runs well and probably an opportunity for his team to have a good week and possibly win a race.''
Busch was placed on probation after Sunday's race. He said Wednesday he will not appeal.
"My decision is being made even though no one to our knowledge has ever been penalized for being struck while seated in a race car,'' Busch said. "I am accepting this penalty regardless of whether or not it is fair or appropriate.''
But a tape released Tuesday of his radio conversation with his crew indicated he may have purposely tried to "flatten'' Spencer's fender earlier in the race.
Busch said, "See, I'm not very good at being bad. I was trying to flatten the 7 car (Spencer) fender and I got mine. I needed to be further forward on his car.''
Someone on his crew responded, "They just showed that on TV. You just missed by about an inch or two. Ah, not far enough forward.''
Busch replied, "Inches only count unless you're playing horseshoes and hand grenades. Ah, I don't want to play either with that clown.''
After the event, Busch said his car ran out of gas near Spencer's hauler in the garage area.
Witnesses said Spencer pulled in and hit Busch's car from behind. He then reportedly jumped from his car, approached Busch's window and punched the driver in the face.
Busch suffered a bloodied nose and chipped tooth.
In upholding the penalty, the National Stock Car Racing Commission found that regardless of "alleged provocation or the exact magnitude of the physical contact, an inappropriate line had been crossed.''
Spencer was suspended from all NASCAR-sanctioned events through Aug. 26 after the altercation with Busch at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. He was also fined $25,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year.
A three-member panel of the commission, which heard the appeal Wednesday, said Spencer "made a compelling argument, expressing remorse and acknowledging that his actions were wrong.''
However, the commission noted that NASCAR previously warned Spencer about his relationship with Busch and had been "put on notice'' to tone it down.
Ted Musgrave was on NASCAR's entry list to replace Spencer in the Busch Series and Winston Cup races at Bristol. The truck that Spencer was to race Wednesday night was pulled from the entry list.
Bristol is the site of one of his first altercations with Busch, who bumped Spencer out of the way to score his first career victory in 2002.
"I hate to see Jimmy not going to Bristol,'' driver Dale Jarrett said. "He has always found that a place that he runs well and probably an opportunity for his team to have a good week and possibly win a race.''
Busch was placed on probation after Sunday's race. He said Wednesday he will not appeal.
"My decision is being made even though no one to our knowledge has ever been penalized for being struck while seated in a race car,'' Busch said. "I am accepting this penalty regardless of whether or not it is fair or appropriate.''
But a tape released Tuesday of his radio conversation with his crew indicated he may have purposely tried to "flatten'' Spencer's fender earlier in the race.
Busch said, "See, I'm not very good at being bad. I was trying to flatten the 7 car (Spencer) fender and I got mine. I needed to be further forward on his car.''
Someone on his crew responded, "They just showed that on TV. You just missed by about an inch or two. Ah, not far enough forward.''
Busch replied, "Inches only count unless you're playing horseshoes and hand grenades. Ah, I don't want to play either with that clown.''
After the event, Busch said his car ran out of gas near Spencer's hauler in the garage area.
Witnesses said Spencer pulled in and hit Busch's car from behind. He then reportedly jumped from his car, approached Busch's window and punched the driver in the face.
Busch suffered a bloodied nose and chipped tooth.