When the green flag drops on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series at the Busch Light Clash in February, veteran spotter Eddie D’Hondt will be in a familiar position, but with new territory.
The NASCAR veteran began his racing career, first as a fan. His father would take him to local asphalt tracks to watch his grandfather and other racers battle on the tracks of the northeast. Eddie then transitioned to a driver, builder, and crew chief for his own team in the Long Island late model scene, and then on the NASCAR Modified tour.
“I built my own late models, maintained my own cars, but I had to teach myself everything. I was into all sports my young life and building race cars & racing them, just kind of evolved. My Grandfather was a short track racer in his day and my Dad often took me to watch the local asphalt races. From learning how to weld, to learning how to set up a car, to setting the vale lash on my motors… I had to learn it all,” said D’Hondt.
In late 1996, D’Hondt received a call from his best friend and fellow NASCAR veteran, Tommy Baldwin asking him to move south and work with him at Harry Ranier’s racing team.
At the time, I had an architectural aluminum business where I designed, sold and installed commercial window systems in NYC. I packed up my business and moved to Charlotte and began my NASCAR Cup career on January 1, 1997,” said the veteran spotter.
For the last twelve years, D’Hondt has spent his weekends atop the spotter stand for Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott. D’Hondt recalls many fond memories and friendships from his time working for Rick Hendrick.
‘Winning Indy with Jeff and his last career win at Martinsville, were pretty special. His retirement party in downtown Miami wasn’t bad either. Chase’s first win at Watkins Glen after finishing 2nd, seven times prior, was very special also. But the cream of the crop has to be the 2020 Cup Championship. I was a small part of eight wins with Jeff and eighteen with Chase and I remember every one of them as if they happened yesterday. Perhaps lost in all the win talk is the relationships that were cultivated. I worked twelve years and over 460 races with Alan Gustafson. He and I have a special bond, but the most cherished bond I created at HMS is and was with Kevin Hamlin. We traveled together for twelve years, rode and sat for thousands of hours in a rental car and I can basically order for him in any restaurant in America. Best man in my wedding, I have a special place in my heart for our friendship,” said D’Hondt.
D’Hondt’s career in NASCAR has been closely linked to the Elliott family, both Bill and Chase.
“I have always felt like a part of the Elliott family and the biggest reason for that is – they went out of their way to make me feel that way. I served as the GM of Bill Elliott Racing and then the GM of Evernham Motorsports as Bill wound down his career. So, when I began spotting for Chase,…. it was like coming home to family. Chase has grown tremendously within these 8 years. He’s among the best at what he does, and he’s earned that distinction, the hard way. I’m proud to have helped him get there and achieve some mighty incredible accolades,” said D’Hondt.
The choice to depart Elliott and the Hendrick Motorsports team wasn’t an easy one.
“The decision wasn’t mine, but yes… nonetheless, it was very difficult. It broke my heart. Life rolls onward and I am so very excited on what lies ahead with Stewart Haas Racing, Josh Berry and Rodney Childers. I feel like I can help this team,” said Eddie D’Hondt.
D’Hondt spent time working with Berry in 2023, as he substituted for Elliott during his early season injury.
“We had lunch together one day to quickly try and get to know each other. We discussed the basics of what he likes and what my verbiage entails… Honestly, he, I & Alan were thrown into the fire together and it just worked out. Josh and I clicked right away.”
Even though D’Hondt and Berry have worked together, D’Hondt still expects some struggles during Berry’s rookie season.
“A rookie, going thru his rookie season and even his 2nd season, is very difficult at this level. No matter how much success or experience he may have at the lower levels, it doesn’t matter, there will be struggles during the rookie season. Having said that, I feel like we have built a solid team to surround Josh with. He’s a quick study, so I feel like there will be numerous days where we shine. How much and how many, I don’t know but my bet is, they will far outnumber the struggles,” said D’Hondt.
D’Hondt and Berry plan to begin reviewing videos after the first of the year. ‘There’s a lot to learn. Nobody’s gonna out work us,” said D’Hondt.
In addition to his role with the Stewart-Haas team, D’Hondt will continue to spot for Justin Allgaier in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Tyler Ankrum in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
–Blake Smith, Host of Let’s Talk Racing
