Hendrick Motorsports has announced a significant adjustment for Chase Elliott and the No. 9 team ahead of the upcoming Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway Raceway. This event, scheduled for Sunday, represents the second race in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and performing well is critical for Elliott, who currently holds a narrow margin of nine points above the Round of 12 elimination cutoff. The Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports switch involves a change of spotter, impacting team communications during the high-stakes race.
Tyler Poole to Miss Gateway, Tyler Deering Steps In
Chase Elliott will compete this weekend without his regular spotter, Tyler Poole, who plans to miss the race due to being on baby watch. According to Fox Sports‘ Bob Pockrass, Tyler Deering will take over Poole’s spotter duties for the weekend. Deering is not new to working with Elliott, having previously served as an additional spotter during the road course events this season. Alongside this temporary role, Deering will continue his responsibilities as the spotter for the No. 32 team in the Xfinity Series.
Playoff Standings Highlight the Stakes at Gateway
The Gateway race is pivotal, especially after Hendrick Motorsports faced a difficult outing at Darlington, where none of their drivers finished inside the top 16, with Elliott leading the team by finishing 17th. The playoff standings reflect a tight battle as drivers vie to secure their position through the next round. Currently, Chase Briscoe leads, locked into the Round of 12 with a Darlington win, while Elliott and his Hendrick teammates like Kyle Larson and William Byron are clustered just above the cutoff line.
Below is the updated playoff standing as Chase Elliott and others prepare for the gateway race:
1. Chase Briscoe (19), Joe Gibbs Racing, Locked in (Darlington Win)
2. Denny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing, +43
3. Kyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports, +26
4. Tyler Reddick (45), 23XI Racing, +35
5. Bubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing, +25
6. William Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports, +25
7. Ryan Blaney (12), Team Penske, +22
8. Ross Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing, +21
9. Austin Cindric (2), Team Penske, +12
10. Christopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing, +11
11. Chase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports, +9
12. Shane Van Gisbergen (88), Trackhouse Racing, +3
Cutoff Line
13. Joey Logano (22), Team Penske, -3
14. Austin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing, -8
15. Alex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports, -19
16. Josh Berry (21), Wood Brothers Racing, -19
Implications of the Spotter Change for Elliott’s Playoff Campaign
The absence of Tyler Poole presents a challenge for Chase Elliott at a critical juncture in the playoffs. Spotters provide vital information and strategy support during races, and adapting to a new voice in this role could influence Elliott’s performance on track. However, given Tyler Deering’s prior experience with Elliott and ongoing work in the Xfinity Series, Hendrick Motorsports is relying on continuity to help the driver secure a strong finish.
The outcome at Gateway will significantly affect Elliott’s progression in the playoffs, as the closely contested points standings leave little room for error. Fans can watch the Enjoy Illinois 300 live on USA and the NBC Sports App starting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday.
