Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the first Q&A of the season as we’re counting down the days until cars hit the track at Bowman Gray. I had the opportunity to talk to Brant Mickel, the spotter for Jason Myers. Brant has spotted for 17 different drivers over the years. He has accumulated over 60 victories between 10 different drivers. He has spotted for drivers such as Jason Myers, Burt Myers, Randy Butner, Blaine Curry, Charlie Curry and Bubba Gale along with others. As well as spotted at Martinsville for the 300.
Q: What was it that got you interested in racing?
A: Daddy had me at Bowman Gray weekly since I was probably 2, hell maybe younger. We watched cup races on Sundays together. Racing was our weekend thing.
Daddy used to help Billy Middleton. He’d help him during the week, but usually sit in the stands on race night.
So it kinda runs in the family.
Q: What was it that got you interested in being a spotter?
A: Interesting story. Not once did I ever say, “Hey, I wanna be a spotter”. I didn’t even know what a spotter was till I became one. We were racing Modifieds at Friendship Speedway in 2005. One of their Sunday afternoon shows I believe. This was around the time NASCAR stepped in and mandated spotters everywhere. It kinda trickled down to our level too. I hadn’t been around helping Jason long and I was the one with the least experience. So Jason said here go spot. Gave me a radio and 20 years later I’m still doing it lol.
Q: Did you ever want to be a race car driver?
A: Who doesn’t wanna be a race car driver? Absolutely I did. Always dreamed of working on them growing up.
Q: What would you say makes a good spotter?
A: PAYING ATTENTION! Can’t fall asleep doing it. Always look ahead, try to expect what is fixing to happen.
Q: I know you have spotted for multiple drivers…is there any difficulty knowing that each driver has a different driving style?
A: Man, I’ve spotted for a lot of drivers. 17 that I can remember. Luckily most of the drivers I’ve worked with have the same driving style, so no, not much difficulty going driver to driver.
Biggest battle is spotting for someone the first time. You don’t know what they want to hear, afraid you’ll mess up. I usually just spot the same and if they need more or less I will adjust on the fly.
Q: Growing up did you have a particular spotter you grew fond of and wanted to be like?
A: No. Like I mentioned earlier, I didn’t even know what a spotter was until I became one.
Q: Would you say there is more pressure being a spotter since you’re pretty much the one who can see everything and tell the driver what line to take and etc.
A: When you spot and turn wrenches on the same car, there’s a huge amount of pressure. If I mess up, I gotta spend extra time away from family to help fix the car. Cost money, time, that driver doesn’t necessarily have.
Do I feel horrible if I get him caught up in a wreck? Absolutely. I’ve put blame on myself a lot over the years.
Q: With the Clash coming to Bowman Gray, how do you think the cup guys will handle the track?
A: I think the cup guys have a handle on what to expect from the LA Coliseum standpoint. But Bowman Gray is different. No inside walls, track seems wider, than LA was. So I still think the unknown is there. Are they gonna beat and bang, I sure hope so.
Q: With the Modifieds running the day before the Clash, would you say it would be a bigger deal to be the winner of the Madhouse Classic? With all of NASCAR being there to witness it or would it be bigger to win the championship this year?
A: It’s absolutely a big deal to win the Clash race. Not because it’s a Bowman Gray trophy, but because the eyes that are going to be on you. I don’t know if we will be on Flo or Fox, but if we’re on Fox even more eyes will make this the most prestigious trophy of the year.
Q: What would you say motivates you to be a better spotter?
A: Winning. Turning wrenches during the week, morning practice, afternoon practice, qualifying, race…..doing all that and capping the night off with a win is what motivates me to keep doing this every weekend. Show up, work your tail off, and get the ultimate reward.
Q: Of all the drivers you worked with who would you say would probably be the easiest/more fun to work with?
A: Jason. Fixing to start my 21st year with him. Hell you stay together that long must be doing something right lol.
Q: What victory would you say is your most memorable one?
A: Friendship Speedway October 2007. Daddy died that week. We raced that Sunday. Jason won. Took him a few years, but I bragged on that trophy so much he finally gave it to me.
Second on the list is riding the elevator at Wilkesboro in 2010 i think it was.
Q: You’ve been a part of Jason Myers team for many years, of all the feuds he’s been apart of which one would you say was the most memorable/ intense feud?
A: The obvious answer is the Jr Miller feud. It was ugly, and most of it uncalled for.
Luckily Jason hasn’t had many fueds since I’ve been with him.
Q: What is it like working in the same shop as Burt? Seeing what they do knowing you have to compete with them?
A: Honestly Burt usually works during the day, we usually work at night so we aren’t there much together. But when we are Burts focused on his equipment, we are focused on ours. Will Jason help Burt? Absolutely. Will Burt help Jason? Absolutely. Their brothers and both want each other to succeed….of course I want Jason’s side to succeed more…
Q: What is your favorite track?
A: Can’t deny Bowman Gray is the favorite. But Concord Motorsports Park was the most bad ass track I ever had the pleasure of spotting at.
Q: What is the hardest track you’ve ever spotted at?
A: Probably Bristol. Yeah you’re on top of the suites, can see, but everything happens so fast. You don’t realize how fast until it’s too late.
Q: If you could spot for anyone past or present in Cup, BGS or anywhere who would that driver be?
A: Dale Jr for the win.
Q: Do you have any goals for the 2025 season?
A: Absolutely. We just come off a winless 2024 season. That kicks you hard. So goal one…win a race. Goal two…finally get a championship!
I wanna thank Brant for taking time and interviewing with me. I wish him and Jason Myers the best of luck this season as he looks to get back to their winning ways in a quest to get their first championship at the Stadium.
Make sure you catch The Madhouse Classic as it will be ran on February 1st and the NASCAR Cookout Clash will be ran February 2nd.
The 2025 season starts April 19th for the Bowman Gray Racing.
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