The NASCAR Cup Series is about to begin with the weekend’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. There will be new storylines, chapters and ambitions that the teams and drivers will focus on. It is a known fact that well-run and organised teams are the ones who go deep into the season and contend for the championship. And the vital cog that holds this entire team together is the role of the spotter. And with the race fast approaching, there are some big changes as far as Spotters go.
While the Cup Series has not seen drastic changes in the drivers moving to other teams, crew chiefs have been busy. A recent post shared by FOX reporter, Bob Pockrass, highlighted how the spotters have been active in making a switch from one Cup team to another. Right from last season’s Cup Series Champion, Ryan Blaney to the likes of Josh Berry, a lot of drivers will be donning a new pair of extra eyes going into the 2024 season.
Here’s how the new Driver-Spotter pairing holds up for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series
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Spotters play a vital role in the track functioning of the drivers and, therefore, can prove to be decisive in the overall results. So going by the swaps of the spotter and personnel ahead of the 2024 season, it will be interesting to see how the new formulas work.
Starting off, we have Eddie D’Hont, who has left Chase Elliot and joined Josh Berry. Interestingly, he replaces Tim Fedwa at SHR, who has moved with Ryan Blaney after Kevin Harvick’s retirement. Adding to this equation, Chase Elliot will now see his cousin Trey Poole don the role of his spotter.
Next, we have Michael Fisher, who moves on from Brad Keselowski to join Michael McDowell.
Ryan Preece welcomed Tony Raines, who will replace Andy Houston for his #41 car. Raines will be making a jump from Xfinity Series to Cup Series after spotting Brett Moffitt last year.
Then we have Joe White, who is headed to Kaulig Racing after his stint with SHR’s Chase Briscoe.
Jason Jarret, who spent his 2023 with Justin Haley at Kaulig, will now join Harrison Burton. And Chris Osborne will fill up the place by Jarret as the new spotter for Haley.
Meanwhile, Burton’s ex-spotter Tyler Green will be pairing up with Carson Hocevar. Rounding off we also have Josh William joining forces with Zane Smith and Ryan Blanchard getting into spotting duty for John Hunter Nemechek.
Martin Truex Jr. spotter Drew Herring is on baby watch this weekend so Geoff Doucette will spot for him.
Summary of Cup spotter changes: pic.twitter.com/eiJ2D5pVBJ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 2, 2024
It has to be noted there are some spotters up for the taking and are free agents as of now.
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Free Agent spotters looking for new opportunities
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Not all the spotters are lucky enough to move into a replacement role like the above-mentioned ones. There are those few who have run their race at the current teams and are now released by them ahead of the season. Steve Barkdoll was informed by his employer Rick Ware Racing that he does not fit in their plans for the 2024 season. A veteran at his craft, Barkdoll has previously spotted for drivers such as Daniel Suarez and Michael McDowell.
Joel Edmonds is another name of this free agent spotter list. After 30 years of full-time auto racing, he is now focused on getting a part-time role. Edmonds, for the most part of his career, has been the spotter for Aric Almirola. However, he could be heading to the Xfinity Series, reuniting with his former partner who himself is running a part-time schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing.
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With the Busch Light Clash within touching distance, it will be fascinating to watch how the new pairing of spotters and drivers work in tandem for the upcoming Cup Series.
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