NASCAR Cup Series

Spotters shifting spots for 2011

Published Nov. 16, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Silly season may be over for drivers and crew chiefs, but it’s just starting for NASCAR spotters.

Keith Barnwell, who humbly refers to himself as “an offensive coordinator,” has been working as a spotter since 1986, long before some of the tracks had designated spotter stands. This season he has been working with Jamie McMurray and the No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet.

However, with Lorin Ranier parting ways with the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford of David Ragan at the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season and returning to the No. 1 team full time, Barnwell found himself displaced — temporarily.

At Phoenix International Raceway last weekend, Barnwell was tapped to spot for Martin Truex Jr. in 2011. Longtime multitasker Ty Norris, vice president and general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, is finally retiring from roof duty, which opened up the position for Barnwell.

Ranier had worked as the spotter for Jamie McMurray when he drove for Chip Ganassi the first time and eventually joined him at RFR when McMurray moved to that team. And since Ranier originally recommended him for the No. 1 car’s spotter’s job, Barnwell really has no regrets.

He is grateful for the opportunity he had with McMurray and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/McDonald’s team this year. He guided McMurray to the two biggest wins on the circuit — the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.

“This is, by far, the best year of my career, even better than the two championships I won in the Nationwide Series,” said Barnwell, reflecting on his time working with David and Jeff Green. “Now it’s time for the next chapter.”

Other changes on the spotter’s perch include Brett Griffin, known to Twitter followers as @19spotter. Griffin replaces Rocky Ryan as the spotter for the No. 31 Chevrolet and driver Jeff Burton for Sprint Cup competition. He is also expected to continue his spotter duties with Elliott Sadler in the Nationwide Series.

Ryan has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Ranier on the No. 6 car with David Ragan.

One move that’s already occurred is with the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing team. With Mike Dillon’s responsibilities increasing at RCR, Kevin Hamlin started spotting for Clint Bowyer at Texas two weeks ago. Hamlin most recently worked with Travis Kvapil.