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The 2024 Cup Series season has promised winds of change for many teams. Among the teams looking forward to moving on from the qualms of the 2023 season is the Hendrick Motorsports #9 Camaro of Chase Elliott. An untimely tibia injury, inclement weather, and a suspension factored with a lack of strength from the team amounted to a winless season without playoff action for the 2020 Cup Series champion. Following the conclusion of the struggle-filled season, he received the painful news of eight-year-long spotter Eddie D’Hondt’s departure from his crew. With D’Hondt gone, Chase resorted to his cousin Trey Poole’s services as his spotter for 2024. Having served as a secondary spotter for Hendrick Motorsports occasionally, Poole has worked towards the upgrade for years.
Trey Poole has been a continuous but unnoticed presence in Chase Elliott‘s racing career. Having served as the No.9 team’s secondary spotter in road course races, he has previously taken on the role of primary spotter. The 34-year-old raced in the Legend Cars and Dirt Late Models circuit during his racing days. He understands what the job demands, having experienced racing in NASCAR first-hand and externally.
Over the years, at times, Trey Poole has spotted for the #9 in place of Chase Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott. Most of these instances have arrived on pavement short-track or road course races like Watkins Glen. He has also fulfilled the role of an additional spotter on the team in races that demand the vision of more than one spotter from the grandstands
Trey Poole also came to Hendrick Motorsports’ rescue in a time of peril in 2021. Poole filled in for the indefinitely suspended #9 primary spotter, Eddie D’Hondt, and had a solid record back then.
Trey Poole’s stint as the primary spotter in 2021
In 2021, the HMS #9 team faced a tough situation as NASCAR handed Eddie D’Hondt an indefinite suspension following a legal battle. However, Chase Elliott immediately turned to his family in peril and suggested Trey Poole fill in as a substitute for D’Hondt. However, there were doubts over his abilities, and considering it was the occasion of the Coca-Cola 600, they were reasonable.
While some suggested that Chase could have turned to his father, Bill Elliott, for help, he believed that having Trey Poole on the radio would benefit both parties. Before the 2021 Coke 600, Poole had already spotted for the #16 Hattori Racing driver in the Truck Series, Austin Hill, who finished 9th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elliott’s belief was surely justified by observing the track from an external point of view with two days to the main event.
Chase Elliott’s notice for Poole to fill the void came soon after he congratulated his cousin for a first full race at Charlotte. Acknowledging the step-up in competition from Truck Series, Elliott felt a brotherly connection could work wonders for the team.
Chase Elliott has shown faith in Poole’s abilities earlier
Speaking about the dynamic between the two cousins before the 2021 Coca-Cola 600, Chase Elliott stated, “Obviously, he knows me very well. He just fits into our group, and he knows everybody. That goes a long way when you’re trying to fill a role quickly like that.”
The coordination between Elliott and Poole has benefitted the No.9 team on numerous occasions. One of the many reasons Chase Elliott is known as the ‘Road Course King’ is his spotters’ continuous and beneficial input. Having complimented D’Hondt in many of these races, Trey Poole also deserves some credit for Chase’s road course prowess.
Elliott reiterated his trust in Poole, “He doesn’t have to talk much to do a good job, and I think that’s the bottom line. He’s been around our team for a long time.”
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In 2021, things were better than in 2023 for Chase Elliott. Coming off a championship-winning season, the team exuded confidence and had the tenacity to win races. While 2023 was a shadow of that, 2024 could be much better. Continuing his conversation about Alan Gustafson‘s belief in Poole’s abilities before the 2021 Coca-Cola 600, Elliott added,
“Alan (Gustafson) likes how he goes about spotting in the road-course races that he’s done. Having some history racing I think is a good thing in a spotter to have. It’s just different being in the car versus just watching, so he has some experience. He’s been watching this stuff forever, so he knows how it works.”
