Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the first Q&A of the 2022 season. I had the opportunity to catch up with former driver/part-time driver and spotter Ryan Nelson. Ryan currently spots Tommy Neal (Sportsman) Zach Brewer (Modified) and Jeremy Gerstner (SMARTs Tour) While Ryan has countless number of wins over the years as a spotter he also has two championships. He also has a combined total of 16 wins. He is only one of 28 drivers to win in three or more divisions. Also, Ryan is one of only three drivers to win in three of the four divisions. The other two are Mike Queen and John Holleman IV.
Q: What was it that got you interested in racing?
A: My parents used to take me since I was 4 years old every Saturday night. I really enjoyed it and it grabbed my attention the older I got. Then I got the urge “hey I want to do this one day”. My dad worked at RJ Reynolds, a lot of his fellow employees raced. James Call his mod was the first race car I ever sat in. I was probably 3 or 4 years old. Johnny Johnson, good friends, too expensive. Turned 17/18 built first mini stock – horrible, did not know anything, ran that, and got into that bought a car from Joel Robertson and started winning some races, done motors in house everything but the head work. Progressed from there
Q: You used to race in the past and still run races here and other tracks. Would you consider racing at Bowman Gray again?
A: Yeah, if I did, I’d want it to be modified. If I won mods Id be the first driver to win all 4 divisions; mini stock, street stock, and sportsman
Q: Being a former driver how much does it help you when spotting for your drivers?
A: Oh, it helps out tremendously! I know as a driver what I want as feedback, I want to know everything behind me. So, I relay that to my drivers. I may give them too much information. I don’t ever think you can give too much information but I want them to be comfortable and be comfortable with me so the more I can relate to them, let them be comfortable it’s better. As long as you don’t talk too much and tell me there’s a lapped car a lap and a half a head of you, you going to catch them; I don’t need to know that
Q: What would you say makes a good spotter?
A: I don’t know if there is a good and bad to be honest, I think some give more detail than others and some drivers like more details and some don’t. I think every spotter that puts the headset on goes out there to be the best they can. Some have just done it better than others and some are entry level.
Q: I know you spot multiple drivers, but is there any difficulty knowing that each driver has a different driving style?
A: Each one is different; Tommy is the easiest; we’re good friends so I can really relate to his emotions in his voice better than I can James. James is smarter and more aggressive “don’t tell me what to do, I’m the one in the race car driving” Tommy on the other hand I can say “hey let’s try this”
Q: As a spotter, what is a normal day like for you to prepare for each driver you work with?
A: Usually consists of meeting them (if I don’t already know them) and asking “What’s your dos and don’ts; what don’t you like and what do you like; then we’ll just sit there and talk. Do you want me to call out your times? Every other lap? Kind of like a meet and greet and get to know each other and know the crew chief, get a game plan then after practice and go over anything else; after qualifying pull another plan together and see what we need to do. But after you work with somebody a day or two you get in rhythm with them, you get to know what is expected the next day
Q: What is your most memorable win as a driver? And what would you say is your most memorable win as a spotter?
A: Driver: always your first but the biggest would be my limited late model at Ace in 2011 the biggest limited late model race they had that year; we qualified 2nd or 3rd and we won that; I’ve got 30+ wins
Spotter: winning the tour race at South Boston with Civali that was the highlight of my career winning the mod tour race with the Hillbilly’s and Civali besides winning a championship with Tommy.
Q: What series did you enjoy racing in most BGS or anywhere?
A: Most enjoyment was limited late model when we left BGS and went to Ace, I had a lot of fun in that
Q: What do you enjoy most being behind that wheel or spotting for your driver?
A: I like them both. Being behind the wheel, you’re in your office by yourself, nobody can see you; they can talk to you but you’re in your own confined space. When you’re spotting you get people coming up asking you this; why’d your driver do this. Probably right now with my age and everything, spotting is better for me right now.
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: Yeah, because when I’m up there that car is my responsibility 100% you have to make sure he’s safe from anything on the track, the pit stall, entrance/exit to the pit road where wrecks are going to be. Best thing is to make sure you and him get along, everyone (spotter, driver crew chief) is on the same page working together not against each other
Q: Two-part question; if you could spot anyone past or present in Cup, BGS or anywhere, who would that driver be? Also, with you being a racer too I’ve got to ask you the same thing but in a racer mindset, if you could race against anyone past or present in Cup, BGS or anywhere who would it be?
A: Spotter: Cup; Tim Richmond! he was idol growing up I love Tim Richmond I think he’d be fun on and off the track BGS; there were few, back in the day sportsman Jimmy Johnson he was aggressive; mods Ralph Brinkley. Race – Richie Evans, Ralph Brinkley, Paul Radford, those guys, they’re the ones who made the foundation of racing they could have taught a lot.
Be sure to check out this week’s action as there will be Modified Twin 25s; a Chain Race
plus, racing in Sportsman, Street Stock, and Stadium Stock divisions
