Spotter changes at JGR UPDATE:

  • Spotter changes at JGR UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing rookie #19-Daniel Suarez will have a familiar voice in his ear during Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races this year. Chris Osborne, who spotted for Suarez during his 2016 Xfinity championship season, will now spot for Suarez in Cup. Osborne had been the Cup spotter for #20-Matt Kenseth, who will now use Jason Hedlesky, the former spotter for the recently retired Carl Edwards.(ESPN.com)(1-18-2017)
    UPDATE: The surprising “retirement” of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Carl Edwards created more than just a driver opening for the Joe Gibbs Racing #19 team. It also resulted in the shuffling of spotters Chris “Crazy” Osborne and Jason Hedlesky. When JGR officials named Suarez to take over Edwards’ spot, team officials thought it best to allow the XFINITY Series champion to continue working with Osborne for his rookie effort. That opened the door to pair Kenseth with Hedlesky. “With Carl’s unexpected departure and putting Daniel in there, you know “˜Crazy’ has worked with Daniel the whole time through the XFINITY Series, the Truck Series,” Kenseth said Tuesday during the first day of this year’s NASCAR Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. “He and “˜Crazy’ had that really good relationship and with Carl not being there and Jason being over (at the #19) I think everybody over there just decided to make the swap for the good of the company. Jason has always done a great job,” Kenseth said. “There’s always some pause, I guess, because you kind of learn each other, and that takes a little bit (of time) to do that. But I think it will be fine.”(NASCAR.com)(1-25-2017)