This week, Motorsport.com caught up with veteran spotter T.J. Majors, spots for Joey Logano in the Cup Series and rookie Dalton Sargeant in theCWTS.
Majors, who also used to race himself, worked as the spotter for Dale Earnhardt Jr. for over 15 years before Earnhardt retired at the end of last season, opening the door for Majors to join Loganoin 2018.
How did it come about for you to spot with Logano and eventually Sargeant as well this season?
Well, after Dale retired last season, I got the call and Joey and I clicked really well when I spotted some for him when he drove Brad’s (Keselowski) truck in the past. I’ve always enjoyed working in the truck series and with young drivers. I feel like I can make more of a difference helping the younger drivers in the truck series and I enjoy working with Dalton.
What was it like to score your first win with Logano at Talladega?
Well, we felt going into the race that we were one of the cars to beat in that race because of our equipment and how good Joey races on restrictor plate tracks. We looked forward to Daytona and all the restrictor-plate tracks because we feel confident everytime we race there that we will have a chance to get a win.
How much do you enjoy working with Sargeant in the Truck series?
I enjoy helping him learn about the tracks he’s going to for the first time and he’s getting better every week. My goal is to help him and the team improve to the point that he’s running in the top five every race. If we can get to that point on a weekly basis, then the wins will come. Dalton’s crew chief Doug Randolph makes smarts calls and adjustments during a race and Dalton will keep improving the more experience he gets and I enjoy working with him every race.
What’s been the biggest difference working with new drivers this year since Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired?
One of the biggest changes is how much I talk on the radio now. With Dale he would like to concentrate on what he was doing and there would be times it was very quiet on the radio and that was his preference. Joey is different in that he wants as much information as you can give him during the race. Joey likes a lot of information about what is going on, lines people are running to find speed and whatever else he feels he can use to make a good decision while driving his car.
What’s the most challenging aspect about your job?
I would say the elements. The roof is a roof and either it’s hot or cold or windy or whatever. Also another challenging aspect is working a track or a road course where you can’t see your car all the time. A place like Indianapolis only allows you to see your car for about half a lap or so and the same thing on a road course a lot of times. I try to take good notes and prep for races by watching film on them to see if I can learn anything new to share with the drivers.
How do you try and help your driver during the race to help keep them calm when they need it?
I feel a driver slows down on the track when they are mad so I try my best to keep them calm when something happens on the track. I also try and keep them motivated if something happens during the race. Sometimes a car will get real loose or there might be a problem and I just try and keep the driver focused and keep their head in the game while we work through any issues on the track.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job as a spotter?
Well anyone will tell you winning is rewarding and that’s true, but I also think feeling appreciated and being part of the team means a lot, too. It also feels good knowing you have a part in helping keep your driver safe and if they win, that’s even better.
Do you feel being a former driver helps you as a spotter?
Absolutely. It helps me for sure. When I started spotting I had no formal training so I just told drivers what I thought I would say if I was driving. I knew what I was looking for when I was driving.
How did you get started as a spotter?
I was working at MB2 Racing and was asked to go with Joe (Nemechek) and then Boris Said when he also drove some races for the team. I also spotted for Scott Riggs and then Sterling Marlin some. I then moved on to JR Motorsports and spotted for Mark McFarland and Dale listened in and approached me about spotting for him. I started with Dale in his last 10 races at DEI and then moved with him when he started driving for Hendrick Motorsports.
FAQs
The film loses a bit of steam when Dale begins racing, and as he achieves success, a lot of memorable moments had to be edited out, or telescoped down, which has disappointed some Earnhardt fans. Considering the time and budget constraints, however, I found the story to be remarkably accurate.
What is Dale Earnhardt Jr salary? ›
Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from the sport in 2017, his current salary has not been released in public records. However, according to Forbes, Earnhardt Junior has a salary of $13.4 Million in 2017, the year he retired.
How much did Dale Earnhardt make? ›
Over the course of his driving career, Earnhardt entered 676 Winston Cup races, won 76 of them, and amassed more than $40 million in prize money. He was also a four-time winner of the International Race of Champions series (1990, 1995, 1999, 2000).
Where did Dale Earnhardt Jr go to military school? ›
Both boys and girls are now uniformed. 1988 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. attends Oak Ridge Military Academy.
What were Dale Earnhardt's last words? ›
What were Dale Earnhardt's last words? According to Esquire, it's rumored that Earnhardt's alleged last words over the car radio were "Look at them boys go," in reference to Earnhardt Jr. and running mate driving ahead of him right before his death.
Did Jeffrey Earnhardt know his grandfather? ›
Ralph Dale Earnhardt was an American professional stock car driver and racing team owner, who raced from 1975 to 2001 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series, most notably driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
WikipediaAfter his death, story after story surfaced about his charitable efforts and him helping people who were less fortunate or simply needed a hand. A smart businessman who made millions in racing, greed was rarely a word associated with the Earnhardt name. Until he died, and until Teresa inherited his fortune.
Who is the richest person in NASCAR? ›
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. With an approximate net worth of $300 million as of 2023, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is regarded as one of the wealthiest NASCAR drivers. His racing journey commenced in the late 1990s, propelling him to legendary status within the racing community.
How many businesses does Dale Earnhardt Jr own? ›
He's a co-owner of JR Motorsports, a race team. He owns automobile dealerships. He owns a chain of restaurants. He's a television broadcaster for NBC Sports, and the host of Dale Jr.
What does Dale Earnhardt Jr own? ›
JR Motorsports is the professional race team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. JR Motorsports tours nationally in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with four full-time entries and has three championships (2014, 2017 and 2018) to its credit and 58 series victories.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
| Owner(s) | Teresa Earnhardt |
| Base | Mooresville, North Carolina |
| Series | Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA |
| Career |
|---|
8 more rowsTogether the Earnhardt family is at the helm of one of the nation's largest privately held automotive empires and is the most recognized auto dealer group in the southwest.
Does Dale Earnhardt Jr still own a race team? ›
Now in its 22nd year, JR Motorsports is the professional race team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick.
Why did Dale Jr stop racing? ›
stepping away from full-time NASCAR competition? In short, Earnhardt wanted to control his own destiny. Here's the main reasons he cited. "I had a lot to think about over the last several months, and I was not sure I would have the opportunity to compete this season," Earnhardt said.
Who is Dale Jr wife? ›
met his future wife, Amy Reimann, then an interior designer with the Atlanta-based architectural firm of Wakefield Beasley & Associates.
Was Dale Earnhardt Jr ever number 3? ›
One year after the untimely death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500, a special partnership came together to put an Earnhardt back behind the wheel of a Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Chevrolet. The No. 3 RCR Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Did Dale Earnhardt Jr ever drive the number 3 car? ›
His father died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Friday's race was the only time the son said he would race the famed No. 3. And he made it count. "This is real emotional," Earnhardt Jr. said.
Did Dale Earnhardt hit a seagull? ›
Dale Earnhardt hits a seagull early during the 1991 #DAYTONA500. Not only did it cause cosmetic damage, but it also messed up the cooling vent in the headlight, making the oil run hotter than it was supposed to.
Who drove the number 3 car before Dale Earnhardt? ›
Ricky Rudd was the last driver to drive the No. 3 before Dale Earnhardt took over the ride at Richard Childress Racing. But before he moved over to race for Bud Moore in 1984, Rudd won twice in the No. 3 for Childress in '83.
