JIMMY SPENCER (No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge Intrepid)

Photo courtesy of NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

Zoomster questions from Debbie:

"I think the work ethic all over the country is different. When you first come down here, some of the Southern traditions are different from the Northern traditions, and I know the West Coasters, they always call them the wine and cheese people. People like Jimmy Smith, and he's not that type of person. I think it's changed over the years. The Northerners if you want to call them that and a lot of people do have implemented themselves in the south. It doesn't matter today in NASCAR where you're from. It used to mean something. Today, it's a nation-wide sport. It doesn't matter if you're from Minnesota, Texas, Florida, North or South Carolina or Pennsylvania. The work ethic is whoever is directing the team. Tommy is from Long Island, and he does have some habits that Northerners have, the Yankees. They're outspoken, they're vocal, things like that. You have to get used to that person's personality. I've known Tommy my whole life. I know how Ray Evernham is, and I know how a lot of these people are. Some Southern people have been successful down here, won some championships and a lot of races. Their work ethic is no different. They just might go about it a different way, so to me, it doesn't matter where you come from. It's who you're working for. When you come into a race team, you have to know who your boss is. If you think you know more than the boss, you're not going to make it in this sport. The other thing is, the boss has to know when he's made a mistake and he admits it and he says we'll fix it and gives credit where credit's due and he'll take the blame when it's time to take the blame. That's a successful crew chief and a successful leader of a race team. It doesn't matter where you're from. I think you've seen a change over these last few years. That's why this sport is so competitive."

"Growing up with a bunch of brothers and sisters, there were seven of us total, three girls and three boys. We were competitive people. My dad was a very competitive person. When we played softball or soccer or whenever we played kick ball, you tried to win. You tried to beat the other team. I think it was instilled at a young age. I don't see that today in a lot of children. I don't see that competitiveness. I see my daughter being a little bit more competitive than my son. It's really interesting to know how your kids grow up and who they hang with. That dictates a lot of it. Their peers they're hanging with dictates their desire. My dad would not let you win. You had to beat him if you were going to play a game, and I admire him for it. I try to teach my kids the same way."