I’ve done a lot of racing over the years. Not as much as I’d like to, but a lot more than a lot of folks. And while a ton of it has been drag racing and autocross, I’ve done a fair amount of wheel to wheel racing as well and that is something truly special. With the exception of one race, all of my wheel to wheel racing has been WITHOUT a spotter. Mirrors and on track awareness were all you had to keep yourself out of the front end of one of your competitors. But in most circle track and endurance races, especially those endurance races happening inside large ovals like the Daytona 24, teams will have spotters perched way up high at the track to talk directly to the driver so they know where they are on track, and in relation to the other drivers, at all times.
In the video below you’ll see a cool look behind the scenes at what it is really like to be a spotter for one of these teams in a big 24 hour endurance race. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Video Description:
In endurance racing, the driver isn’t alone. High above the track, the spotter is the driver’s second set of eyes — protecting the car, managing chaos, and filtering information at 180+ mph.
This is the unseen role that shapes every result. Pack racing 30 cars deep. Fog that erases visibility. Prototype traffic closing on GTD and GTD PRO. Editing radio calls in real time so drivers can stay locked in.
Spotters don’t just call “clear.” They predict battles half a lap ahead, identify platinum vs. bronze drivers in traffic, manage tire pace in crunch time, and operate on instinct after 20 straight hours on the stand.
Special thanks to spotters, Steve Welk and Barry Waddell of Acura Meyer Shank Racing, and Chris Long of Ford Racing.
