Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is confronting an unforeseen challenge ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway, as his long-time spotter Tab Boyd has been replaced unexpectedly. The Hyak Motorsports driver announced on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that championship veteran Clayton Hughes will take over spotter duties just as the playoff race heats up with only ten regular-season races remaining.
Stenhouse expressed frustration at the timing of the change, emphasizing its awkwardness given the tight playoff scenario. The driver’s adjustment to a new spotter brings extra pressure during a pivotal phase of the season.
“You know, obviously, that’s an unfortunate deal. The team let Tab Boyd go this week, and we got Clayton Hughes to come fill in. I’ve never worked with Clayton,” Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said via tobychristie.com.
“I think the concern for me is trying to get on the same page as quick as we can knowing that, like you said, the schedule coming up, going to Atlanta next week could be a very important race for our race team and trying to get us into the Playoffs and put us in the right position,” he added.
Long-Standing Partnership Ends Amid Controversy
Stenhouse, who has been with Hyak Motorsports (formerly JTG Daugherty Racing) since 2020, had Boyd by his side throughout the early part of 2023. The team did not provide reasons for the sudden change, but it came shortly after Boyd posted a contentious message on social media during the recent Mexico City race weekend. The post, which was later deleted, criticized the local area harshly and drew considerable backlash.
“I’m ready to go home, screw this place, people can talk it up all they want… can’t even walk out the front door of the hotel without getting hustled and money snatched… in less than five minutes. Good area my a**…”,” Boyd apparently wrote on X (now deleted).
In stepping in, Hughes brings a wealth of experience, having guided Martin Truex Jr. to the NASCAR Cup Championship in 2017. This experience will be put to the test as he supports Stenhouse at Pocono.
Stenhouse’s Current Standings and Playoff Hurdles
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. currently ranks 21st in the NASCAR Cup points, trailing the playoff cutoff by 61 points ahead of Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400 race. So far, he has managed two top-10 finishes this season. His recent race in Mexico City ended in a 27th-place finish, his second-worst performance after a Did Not Finish (DNF) in Nashville.
The 400-mile Pocono race, covering 160 laps, is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday and features a purse exceeding $11 million. Defending race winner Ryan Blaney is among the contenders, while Stenhouse seeks to improve his record at this track.
Challenges of Racing at Pocono with a New Spotter
Stenhouse has had limited success at the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway tri-oval in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, with only one top-10 finish in 21 starts. The sudden change in spotters ahead of this crucial race adds uncertainty to his performance prospects. Establishing quick communication and trust with Clayton Hughes will be vital as the driver aims to gain momentum in the playoff race.
Given the critical stage of the season, this spotter change could impact Stenhouse’s ability to contend for a playoff spot, underscoring the challenge of maintaining consistency under shifting team dynamics.
