CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jimmy Spencer says he's already reaping benefits from working with new teammate Darrell Waltrip.

Waltrip, a three-time Winston Cup champion and winner of 84 races, will drive a Ford Taurus in 1999 for Spencer's boss, Travis Carter.

``I'm glad Darrell Waltrip is my teammate because of his experience and because of the amount of wins he has,'' Spencer told a crowd of more than 100 writers and broadcasters during the first day of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour.

``We tested the other week and Darrell Waltrip has already helped Jimmy Spencer on short tracks and road courses,'' said Spencer, who has two Winston Cup wins to his credit. ``On the other side, I think I can help him on the superspeedways.''

Waltrip has not won a race since 1992, and was forced to sell his own team midway through last season after losing his sponsorship. But Spencer says Waltrip's career is far from over.

``I think a lot of (Waltrip's trouble) is about confidence,'' Spencer said. ``You take Jeff Gordon and put him in another situation and he won't win the championship. We all know Darrell can win races, and when Darrell gets the confidence level in his team that Jimmy Spencer has in Team Winston, then you'll see a totally different Darrell Waltrip.''