When Harrison Burton joined Wood Brothers Racing in 2022, the team had 99 wins in the bag. So, when Burton came on board, one of his goals was to get that 100th win. And at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in August, the 24-year-old did just that. But he couldn’t have done it without rookie Parker Retzlaff. In fact, the Beard Motorsports driver came oh-so-close to winning the race himself. And in just his second Cup start! He may have eventually crossed the line in 7th, but it was a remarkable drive, nonetheless – one that wouldn’t have been possible without a particular someone.

With 15 laps to go, the No. 62 was running in 21st, but having navigated through the chaos – courtesy of the voice in his ear – Retzlaff was in 4th place right before the final overtime restart. As fellow Chevrolet driver Kyle Busch led the way, Richard Childress said on the radio, “Find that No. 62 spotter. Talk to him. If he can push us, push.” When Ron Lewis relayed the message to Retzlaff, that was the plan. But the rookie was stuck behind Burton on the outside lane while Busch was leading on the inside.

Realizing he couldn’t do anything to help Busch, Parker Retzlaff did what he could to get the win for Beard Motorsports. But while doing so, he gave Harrison Burton the “history-making push” he needed to win. Kyle Busch had to settle for second, while the No. 62 couldn’t follow Burton to challenge for the win and dropped to 7th. After the race, the rookie said, “I tried to give myself the best shot to go and win this race for everyone at Beard… To come so close and not get the win hurts a little bit.” Well, had he got it, Ron Lewis would’ve walked away with a win in what became his final Cup Series race as a spotter.

Brendan Gaughan, Noah Gragson, Justin Allgaier, and Austin Hill. The legendary spotter helped shape all of them since joining Beard Motorsports when they made their Cup Series debut in 2017. They’d attempted two races prior to the 2017 Daytona 500, but neither came to fruition. So, when they finally got the green signal, they asked Ron Lewis to join their ranks as the spotter for the No. 62.

Since then, the 53-year-old stood atop the spotter’s tower 29 times and guided the No. 62 car to 1 top-5 and 7 top-10s. This past weekend in Talladega, though, when Anthony Alfredo was driving in Beard Motorsports’ 30th Cup race, Lewis wasn’t his spotter. Instead, Alfredo’s Xfinity spotter, Keith Branwell, took Lewis’ spot. Seeing as he was the spotter for every race Beard Motorsports entered until then, his absence was concerning.

On October 10, Beard Motorsports released a statement that read, “The Beard family and Beard Motorsports team are heartbroken over the passing of Ron Lewis. Ron has been with us since 2017. We have so many wonderful memories over the last eight years, and we send our sincere condolences to his family. Rest easy, Ron.” While further details about his demise are yet to be revealed, those close to the veteran spotter may want to keep the information private during this difficult time.

In many ways, Ron Lewis had all the qualities needed to succeed as a spotter, such as calmness under pressure and the unique ability to understand the dynamic nature of the races from a vantage point, which is what made him such a valuable asset to the racing team and earned him deep respect from those he worked with. As a key figure at Beard Motorsports, Lewis’ accomplishments are proof of how his keen insights and expert guidance made a difference when it mattered most.

His passing is not just a loss for Mark Beard’s team; it’s a significant moment of reflection for the entire racing community. After all, his stint with Beard Motorsports wasn’t his first in NASCAR’s premier series. Almost 11 years before the events of the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400, the Daytona International Speedway became the site for Ron Lewis’ debut.

On February 14, 2013, he tweeted, “Packing for the first of many times this season… Ready to be the eyes in the sky for the No. 13 Cup car of Casey Mears and Germain Racing.” That marked the beginning of a memorable career as a spotter.

In what was a successful 2013 campaign, Casey Mears finished 24th in the final standings, his best result since driving for Richard Childress Racing in 2009. After all, Lewis’ tweet at the beginning of the season preempted this: “Our Germain Racing #13 Ford with Casey Mears at the wheel is smooth and fast… Will be good…” In fact, the driver-spotter duo recorded the team’s best finish (P9) at an oval track that year during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.

As we remember Ron Lewis, let us celebrate a life dedicated to the sport of NASCAR and the many drivers he inspired along the way. His legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of fans and the racing community, a true champion both on and off the track. Tributes have poured in on social media, celebrating a man whose impact was felt far and wide.

The NASCAR community expresses its condolences after “awesome spotter” Ron Lewis’ passing

Given the resources Beard Motorsports had at their disposal, Lewis’ contributions to the team ensured both the No. 62 drivers this year exceeded expectations. As Lewis departs for heaven, the No. 62 driver, Anthony Alfredo, shared his final words for his spotter, “Rest in peace, Ron.”

The 2024 YellaWood 500 recently concluded at Talladega Superspeedway, with Anthony Alfredo finishing the race in 24th place. Despite driving the No. 62 Chevy, the rookie didn’t have Lewis on spotter duties, prompting one fan to write, “Sorry to hear. I noticed he wasn’t the spotter for their most recent race. Keith Barnwell was the spotter. But Ron Lewis was the spotter for the Parker Retzlaff. So, at least he went out with a good run.

The veteran was well respected within the NASCAR community, with drivers, teams, and fans recognizing the impact that he has made on the sport through his spotting responsibilities. On this note, one fan wrote on X, “RIP Ron. I know some folks who work in the sport who have never had anything but wonderful things to say about him. He’ll be missed. I have no doubt.”

Echoing that sentiment, another fan expressed sympathy for those closest to Lewis: “Prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Ron Lewis. RIP, aka awesome NASCAR spotter.” Disappointed after reading Beard Motorsports’ statement, a fan expressed their empathy towards the news by writing, “So sad, rest in peace, Ron.”

While he won’t be able to guide drivers on a racetrack anymore, Lewis’ commitment towards NASCAR extended beyond his professional responsibilities, bordering on a personal goal. Having worked tirelessly to leave a lasting impact at Beard Motorsports, one fan simply wrote, “Rest easy, Ron,” highlighting that the veteran spotter has done all he could for the racing community.

EssentiallySports sends its heartfelt condolences to Ron Lewis’ family, friends, colleagues, and fans. May his soul rest in heaven!