Spencer appeal denied by NASCAR

BRISTOL, Tenn., Aug. 20 (UPI) -- NASCAR has denied the one-week suspension levied upon Jimmy Spencer for his part in a post-race altercation with Kurt Busch last Sunday.

The incident occurred after Sunday's Winston Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. Spencer, who punched Busch in the nose, was fined $25,000, suspended from Saturday's race at Bristol, Tenn., and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

The three-member panel of the National Stock Car Racing Commission met Wednesday morning in Bristol to hear Spencer's appeal. He was to compete in the O'Reilly 200 Craftsman Truck Series race for Ultra owner Jim Smith Wednesday night, but that truck has been withdrawn.

Also, Busch Series team owner Tommy Baldwin, who is also Ultra's Winston Cup crew chief, had entered Spencer to run in Friday night's Busch Series Food City 250, but has changed his driver to Ted Musgrave.

Both Spencer and Bush are on probation until Dec. 31 as a result of the altercation.