The Ty Dillon spotter controversy ignited intense debate in NASCAR circles this week after Kaulig Racing dismissed spotter Joe White following an incident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with racing legend Mark Martin reflecting on his own similar experience. The turmoil arrives just as Kaulig Racing moves away from Richard Childress Racing to pursue independence across NASCAR’s three national divisions.
Kaulig Racing Ends Relationship with Ty Dillon’s Spotter After Vegas Incident
Kaulig Racing’s decision to cut ties with Joe White came on the heels of last weekend’s race in Las Vegas, where a critical miscommunication resulted in a major on-track collision. While William Byron contended for the top spot in the race’s final segment, Ty Dillon, running in 35th place a lap down, made an unplanned pit stop. The resulting lack of coordination led William Byron to strike the No. 10 Chevy head-on, causing severe damage and forcing both cars out of the competition. The incident also eliminated Byron from Championship Four contention.
Following this, White attended the Talladega race only to find that Kaulig Racing had decided to let him go immediately, reversing previous assurances that he would remain with the organization in another capacity. White shared this difficult update on X, drawing a swift response from the racing community.
Mark Martin Recalls His Own Sudden Firing at Talladega
Mark Martin, a renowned figure in NASCAR history, responded to White’s post by sharing memories of his abrupt dismissal under similar circumstances before a Talladega event. Martin recounted that during the 1983 season, when driving for Jim Stacy Racing, he was let go because the team wanted to
“run up front and win races”
—goals they no longer believed he could achieve at the time. Martin was replaced by Morgan Shepherd ahead of the race at the famed 2.66-mile speedway.
Martin publicly expressed support for White’s future, echoing his own personal turnaround after being let go years ago. He posted:
“Well I got fired right before @TALLADEGA once too man. Maybe things will work out for the better. They did for me.”
— Mark Martin, NASCAR Legend
Kaulig Racing Implements Further Changes for Upcoming Races
In response to White’s departure, Kaulig Racing has already secured Frank Deiny—formerly AJ Allmendinger’s spotter—as the new spotter for Ty Dillon. Filling the gap left by Deiny, TJ Bell will now take over spotting responsibilities for Allmendinger.
Meanwhile, the team continues to adjust its lineup in the Xfinity Series as reigning ARCA Menards champion Brenden Queen prepares to join Kaulig Racing for remaining events this season. These roster changes underline the organization’s commitment to reshaping their structure following the recent controversies and strategic move toward full independence from Richard Childress Racing.
The Broader Impact of the Spotter Shake-Up
The fallout from the Ty Dillon spotter controversy is likely to have a lasting effect on Kaulig Racing and the careers of those involved. With high-profile names such as Joe White, Mark Martin, Ty Dillon, William Byron, and Brenden Queen part of the conversation, the incident underscores the intense pressure and swift personnel decisions that are a reality in professional motorsports. The coming weeks and races will reveal how these changes influence Kaulig’s performance as well as set the stage for the trajectory of White’s career in NASCAR.
Well I got fired right before @TALLADEGA once too man. Maybe things will work out for the better. They did for me. https://t.co/14NA9hBzbb
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) October 15, 2025
