It's the offseason in NASCAR, but that doesn't mean there isn't major news in the garage area. A pair of NASCAR champions will have a different voice in their ears come the 2024 season. That includes the newly crowned 2023 champion Ryan Blaney. Blaney spotter Josh Williams is departing the No. 12 team after nine years working with Blaney. He has been the voice in Blaney's ear for all ten of his Cup victories and was a key part in Blaney's title.
Williams let his departure be known via social media, in a heartfelt message.
Last weeks NASCAR banquet was my last call as spotter for the 12 team and Team Penske. After 9 years it was time to personally and professionally make a change for myself and my family. Im forever grateful to everyone I?ve gotten to work with at TP, especially those that have? pic.twitter.com/ELtV7aRpjS
— Josh Williams (@joshtwilliams) December 4, 2023
"Last week's NASCAR banquets was my last call as spotter for the 12 team and Team Penske. After nine years it was time to personally and professionally make a change for myself and my family. I'm forever grateful to everyone I've gotten to work with at TP (Team Penske), especially those that have become lifelong friends," Williams said. "I'm proud knowing the last six races were it and going out with a Talladega win, a Martinsville clock, and capping it off with a Cup Series Championship. We couldn't have finished it off any better. I'm really excited about what the future has in store and looking forward to sharing those plans soon! I can't wait to get to the Coliseum! Happy Holidays."
Blaney didn't wait long to wish Williams all the best and reflected on their time together in a post on his X page.
"It's been a fun ride for the past nine years together, from all the race wins to the championship. No better way to go out together than on top! You're one of the very best brothers. Cheers," Blaney said.
Blaney isn't the only Cup champion looking for a new spotter, as Chase Elliott won't have Eddie D'Hondt on the spotter stand in 2024.
D'Hondt knows all about winning, having worked for Hendrick Motorsports for 12 years. He won 26 races as a spotter for Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott with it all cultivating in the 2020 championship with Elliott.
It is a big loss for the No. 9 team as they look to bounce back from a winless 2023 campaign that saw Elliott fail to make the playoffs for the first time in his Cup career.
Elliott's next spotter isn't currently known, but the good news for Blaney, according to Bob Pockrass from Fox Sports, is that he is getting a champion spotter in Tim Fedewa.
Fedewa is a former racer, having spent many years in the Xfinity Series, and previously spotted for Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing. Fedewa played a key role in Harvick's 2014 championship.
From one champion to another, Fedewa has found a great landing spot, and that can only mean good things for Blaney in defending his 2023 title.
Playing the roles of race strategist and driver psychologist, along with their duties of guiding a driver around traffic, spotters can mean the difference between checkers and wreckers on the racetrack and in the championship chase. Changes like these can be just as dramatic as driver and team changes in NASCAR.
