Christopher Bell will have a new voice in his ear at the next Atlanta race, as Tab Boyd, recently let go by Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s team, joins as spotter for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. The change puts the spotlight on the Christopher Bell Atlanta race spotter situation, especially following the exit of Bell’s previous spotter Stevie Reeves and a brief pairing with Matt Philpott in May.
Tab Boyd Steps in as Bell’s Spotter for Atlanta
This week, Tab Boyd will serve as spotter for Christopher Bell during the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, marking a notable change for both individuals. Boyd, previously aligned with Hyak Motorsports driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., parted ways with that team after a controversial incident during NASCAR’s trip to Mexico City. Boyd’s recent firing stemmed from critical remarks he posted after claiming he was the victim of a scam outside his hotel, writing on social media about his negative experience in Mexico.
“Former Stenhouse spotter Tab Boyd is on the roster as spotter for Christopher Bell this weekend at Atlanta.”
The move comes after Stevie Reeves, Bell’s long-time spotter, chose to leave his post prior to the Coca-Cola 600, and Bell briefly worked with Matt Philpott in the interim. With Tab Boyd now taking over, Joe Gibbs Racing is hoping for smooth communication and strong performance as the Cup Series heads to Atlanta.
Fan Response Sparks Comparisons and Opinions
News of Tab Boyd’s new role with Christopher Bell quickly drew reactions from NASCAR fans online, who compared the situation to past spotter-crew changes, such as Kyle Larson losing his spotter to Joey Logano’s No. 22 team ahead of next season. Some fans shared their takes on social media posts by veteran motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass, whose announcement confirmed Boyd’s appointment to Bell’s team.
“Taking the Larson route I see lmao.”
“Can’t wait to see the hot takes on this from the furries.”
“What happened to Bell’s normal spotter?” a fan wondered.
“I just wanna see the pansies on here crying about it,” spotter Brett Griffin wrote.
“When you know what you’re doing, someone will hire you.” another wrote.
Some supporters were simply optimistic about the transition, calling it good news and suggesting Boyd’s expertise will benefit Bell. Others questioned the fate of Bell’s former spotter, proof that spotter changes often spark speculation within the fanbase and among fellow racing insiders.
All Eyes on Atlanta as Race Approaches
The upcoming Cup Series race, now known as the Quaker State 400, will be held at Echopark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) on Saturday, June 28. The 260-lap event, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, will be televised nationally on TNT Sports, with radio coverage available through PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
With Christopher Bell adapting to Tab Boyd’s presence as spotter, attention is also focused on other team dynamics as drivers gear up for a key stretch in the 2025 season.
Tensions High Between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Hocevar
Aside from changes in the spotter lineup, rivalries continue to make headlines. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who sits 24th in Cup Series points and seeks his first win of the season, is engaged in a heated feud with Cup Series rookie Carson Hocevar. Their conflict escalated after on-track incidents in Nashville and at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Stenhouse Jr. confronted Hocevar after the race in Mexico, issuing a pointed threat.
“I’m going to beat your a** when we get back to the States.”
Though this encounter did not escalate further at Pocono Raceway, Stenhouse Jr. continues to express his frustration leading into Atlanta Motor Speedway, telling NBC:
“Honestly, tired of talking about the kid. Eventually, it will come to a head. In the right place in the right time, eventually. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but he probably will be looking over his shoulder for a long time. We’ll see how that goes.”
With only 17 races completed this season and Stenhouse accumulating a single top five and two top ten finishes, the tension between drivers and among teams is likely to continue building as they pursue playoff spots and victories.
The appointment of Tab Boyd as Christopher Bell’s spotter adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming Atlanta event, as fans, teams, and key figures like Bell, Stenhouse Jr., and Boyd prepare for a race marked by new partnerships and simmering rivalries.
