Erik Jones’s Sonoma race strategy took an unexpected turn after a unique agreement with his spotter Will Rodgers resulted in the two swapping roles for a key Xfinity race at Sonoma Raceway. On July 13, 2025, this unconventional arrangement provided both a glimpse into the camaraderie within the Legacy Motor Club team and a surprising secret to their recent success.
Will Rodgers, who usually serves as spotter for Jones and the Legacy Motor Club No. 43 car in the NASCAR Cup Series, entered the Xfinity Series race at Sonoma as a driver for Cope Family Racing in the No. 70 car. This opportunity was more than just a personal challenge for Rodgers—it was the realization of a bet between himself and Jones. When Rodgers joined the Legacy Motor Club ahead of the 2025 season, he expressed his wish to run some races, but their mutual priority remained on Cup Series performance. However, when the chance to drive at Sonoma appeared, Legacy Motor Club did not prevent Rodgers from taking the wheel—instead, the roles reversed, and Erik Jones picked up the headset to spot for his teammate.
This arrangement was no accident. A long-standing, playful bet was in place between the two, with Jones promising to spot for Rodgers should he land a ride:
I guess Will, when we hired him on this year for the 43, he was, you know, wanting to do some racing of his own, and we had no problem with it, but kind of told him if he put something together that I would spot for him. And I kind of figured that would nearly, not that he wasn’t going to put something together, but it would never work out that I would spot for him. So he got to putting together this deal for the 70 car, which he spots for on a weekly basis.
— Erik Jones
What began as a casual wager became reality when Rodgers followed through and earned a seat for the race. Jones had previously only helped as a second spotter and never professionally spotted for a race in more than a decade. Yet, fulfilling his end of the bargain, he stepped up:
I’m glad that Eric actually signed up to do it. I thought it would take a little bit more convincing, but I think I remember where we were, Kansas or something. And I said, ‘Hey, I think there’s a good chance I’m going to race Sonoma. So we’re going to do this thing. Right. And you said, yeah, I said, all right, I’m going to hold you to it.’ So here we are. I’m glad it came together and obviously thankful to Legacy Motor Club for letting me do this. Really enjoyed my new role at Legacy Motor Club spotting for Eric, uh, between him, me, and then Ben Bayshore. I feel like we make a really good team, uh, super chill.
— Will Rodgers
With Jones as his spotter, Rodgers took the green flag from the 36th position and overcame a challenging start to claim 16th at the finish line. Their rapport throughout the race was evident, as the atmosphere between driver and spotter matched the team’s relaxed yet focused approach:
We were joking on the radio, having a good time, and car remained good pretty much the whole time. The team made good adjustments, like I said, so I was feeling OK.
— Will Rodgers
Legacy Motor Club’s willingness to embrace flexibility and trust among teammates has led to strong results and boosted morale. Following the Xfinity race, Jones returned his attention to his primary goal—securing a playoff spot in the Cup Series. With Will Rodgers and crew chief Ben Bayshore, the No. 43 team has shown an ability to adapt and experiment, which could be the edge they need as the competition heats up.
Internal Team Challenges Shape Sonoma Performance
As the 2025 road course season continues, Erik Jones finds himself among the top eight in the in-season Cup Series challenge, with Sonoma Raceway representing a pivotal round. His pursuit of advancement has set the stage for an intra-team rivalry—he must outperform teammate John Hunter Nemechek to continue in the competition. Although the added tension of racing against a familiar face could be distracting, Jones approaches the task with characteristic composure:
I would love to give you some big play on it. But it has been business as usual, For me, I’m always pretty good about letting the result be what it is. I never go into a race thinking about how I want to run or how I want to finish. I run the best race I can run and then hope the result is going to come with that,
— Erik Jones
Despite downplaying the rivalry, Jones acknowledged circumstances might change if Nemechek is within reach of victory during the final laps. The allure of a $1 million prize and the urgency to eliminate a 50-point deficit mean that every move counts at Sonoma in the heart of California’s “Wine Country.” The stakes are clear: while Legacy Motor Club’s secret blend of humor, adaptability, and teamwork has brought them this far in the season, pushing past Nemechek and collecting vital points remain central to the No. 43 team’s roadmap to the playoffs.
The combination of a lighthearted challenge, longstanding relationships, and a willingness to step outside traditional driver–spotter roles reflects the unique environment at Legacy Motor Club. With key figures like Erik Jones, Will Rodgers, Ben Bayshore, and John Hunter Nemechek all part of this unfolding story, the broader NASCAR community will be watching closely to see if this secret ingredient continues to transform the team’s results on the track—or if new competition will force them to innovate further as the season builds toward its climax.
