Following the high-profile Ty Dillon Las Vegas crash during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, Kaulig Racing has dismissed Joe White, their longtime spotter, due to communication failures that contributed to the incident. The crash, which occurred on Lap 236 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, not only involved Dillon but also championship contender William Byron, adding urgency to the team’s response.
Communication Error Leads to Devastating Accident
The crash unfolded as Ty Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet slowed on the banking to make a pit stop, while William Byron, driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, was unaware of Dillon’s intentions. Dillon, who was off-strategy, believed that Byron would be alerted by the spotter stand, but no communication reached Byron in time. As a result, Byron collided with the back of Dillon’s car at a significant speed differential—at least 50 mph—causing extensive damage to both vehicles.
This collision drastically affected Byron’s playoff campaign, dropping him 15 points below the cutoff line for advancement. In the aftermath, intense scrutiny was placed on the spotting and communication process, especially since Dillon did not use any hand signals and relied fully on radio information being passed along to other drivers.
Joe White Dismissed After Las Vegas Mishap
In a swift move, Kaulig Racing has released Joe White from his duties as spotter. White had planned to stay with the organization in another capacity for 2026, but the Las Vegas incident accelerated his departure.
“Got to Talladega, parked the bus, got fired,”
revealed White on social media.
“In an uber to the airport to go home for the weekend. 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, Spotter
The team has announced that Frank Deiny will assume spotting responsibilities for Ty Dillon this upcoming weekend, transitioning from his role with the No. 16 Kaulig car. T.J. Bell has also been reassigned and will now spot for A.J. Allmendinger and the No. 16 Chevrolet, signaling further internal changes.
What the Fallout Means for Drivers and Teams
As investigations and reviews of race radio and post-incident interviews continue, the Ty Dillon Las Vegas crash highlights just how critical effective communication is in high-speed motorsport environments. For Kaulig Racing, making immediate staffing changes signals a commitment to addressing lapses and preventing repeat mistakes, especially with playoff standings and team reputations at stake.
William Byron and Ty Dillon will now navigate the remainder of the postseason with heightened caution, as championship aspirations and competitive trust rely heavily on the seamless relay of information between spotters and drivers. For Kaulig and the broader NASCAR community, the event underscores the need for rigorous communication protocols to ensure driver safety and competitive fairness.
