The scene where James and his 'partner' hold up the diner is 'homaged' in the opening scene in the diner--looks too spookily similar (frame composition and lighting and style) not to be an homage??
The entire chain gang sequence is a straightout spoof, including particular, precise scenes and aspects, like the African American prisoner (in both films he's the same race) helping to break the main character's shackles, and the guard whipping the prisoner and only the prisoner's shadow is visible.