When it comes to racing, the driver is the one in the spotlight, but it takes a whole team of crew members for that driver to succeed.

One member of that team is the spotter – a person who stands above the racing course and aides the driver in “seeing” the activity on the track.

The relationship between the driver and the spotter is as important as the one between the driver and the crew chief.  They often have their own lingo and way of communicating. 

There is a story many years ago that Bill Elliott who has a deep southern drawl was paired with a spotter who hailed from Long Island with a distinct accent of his own.  The result was two men with very distinct accents….who could not understand each other.  In a way it was like the driver and spotter had to learn a new language in order to communicate.  It took a few races, but they did.

After having the same spotter for the past eight years, NASCAR’S  most popular driver, Chase Elliott, will have to get used to a new voice in his ear.  Spotter Eddie D’Hondt has announced that he is leaving Hendrick Motor Sports after 12 years.

It is unknown at this time what D’Hondt’s future plans will be.

Chase Elliott isn’t the only driver that will have to get used to a new spotter next season.  As Ryan Blaney prepares to defend his championship title, he will have a new spotter as well.  Longtime spotter Josh Williams has spent the past nine years as Blaney’s spotter but is leaving the team.  He has not announced any new plans for the future.