In the aftermath of the William Byron Las Vegas incident, Joe White, spotter for Ty Dillon and the No. 10 team, was dismissed from Kaulig Racing just days before the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. This decision comes as the 2025 season nears its conclusion, with White’s exit occurring only three races before the finale.
Joe White’s Role and Departure Amid Tension
Joe White, who has held the spotting role for Ty Dillon since last season, arrived at Talladega only to learn of his termination. Although it had been previously decided that he would not continue spotting for Dillon next year, he had expected to remain with Kaulig Racing in another capacity. The firing leaves White entirely separated from the organization in the last critical stretch of the season, impacting both his future and the dynamic within the team as they pursue remaining opportunities.
Details Surrounding the Las Vegas Crash
The tension reached its peak during the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Late in Stage 3, Ty Dillon and the No. 10 team opted for a green-flag pit stop while off the lead lap. William Byron, running second at that moment, collided into the back of Dillon’s car, leading to significant consequences for both teams. Byron later reported he had received no communication or warning about Dillon’s move onto pit road, which contributed directly to the costly accident and his abrupt drop in the finishing order.
Ty Dillon claimed that Joe White had communicated their intentions to Branden Lines, Byron’s spotter, indicating the upcoming pit stop. However, No. 24 team crew chief Rudy Fugle stated the message came too late, intensifying criticism of White’s timing and coordination during the event. The communication breakdown became a flashpoint, prompting heated exchanges among team members and their spotters.
Spotter Stand Arguments and Witness Accounts
Following the accident, the spotter stand became a battleground of frustration and accusations. Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team, recounted the scene:
We talked about it on the roof yesterday. Because obviously, the 24 spotter was pretty heated at the 10 spotter,
– Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
Kraft described how emotions ran high, with yelling exchanged between the involved parties as confusion and blame mounted in the immediate aftermath. The altercation was witnessed by others on the stand, who noted efforts to bring calm and perspective back to the situation.
Then I saw someone else, Tyler Green, kinda went in, defuse the situation. And said, ‘Hey, this guy, you don’t know that he did anything wrong.’ I don’t know what happened.
– Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
Resulting Setbacks for William Byron and Team Responses
The consequences of the crash were severe for William Byron, who had been on track for a solid top-five or top-ten finish. Instead, Byron finished 36th and now finds himself 15 points below the cutline, with only two races left in the Round of 8. The setback adds significant pressure to Byron, Branden Lines, crew chief Rudy Fugle, and the entire No. 24 team as they attempt to recover and stay alive in the championship hunt.
Cease of Blame on Ty Dillon and the No. 10 Team
Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing, publicly defended Ty Dillon and the No. 10 team, refusing to direct any blame at his own driver or crew:
I hate it but at the end of the day, it’s not on the 10 car. I’m not gonna say that,
– Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
Rice further elaborated on the realities of racing at this level, emphasizing the inherent risks and competitive environment that inevitably lead to such incidents:
I hate it for everybody, but I’m not gonna take blame. You’re sitting at a stop light and get hit from the back end, are you gonna take blame that the car from behind you hit you?
– Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
Rice’s stance highlights the ongoing debate over communication protocols and accountability during tightly contested races, especially when title hopes are on the line for multiple teams involved.
Broader Implications as the Season Nears Its End
The William Byron Las Vegas incident and its aftermath have amplified scrutiny on the responsibilities of NASCAR spotters, such as Joe White, and the complexity of their roles in preventing high-stakes collisions. With only a few races left in the season and key figures like Chris Rice, Ty Dillon, Branden Lines, Rudy Fugle, and Freddie Kraft involved, teams must refocus and adapt communication strategies to avoid further controversy and lost opportunities as the pursuit for the championship intensifies.
Got to Talladega. Parked the bus, got fired. In an uber to the airport to go home for the weekend.
— Joe White (@White_Joe47) October 15, 2025
Also to be clear, it was already determined that I would not be spotting for Ty next year, but that I would still be with Kaulig in some fashion. But not now.
— Joe White (@White_Joe47) October 15, 2025
