Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confirms HYAK Motorsports fired spotter Tab Boyd amid disparaging comments about Mexico City

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confirmed Friday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that Tab Boyd, his spotter since the start of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, was fired by HYAK Motorsports. Clayton Hughes, who won a Cup Championship in 2017 while spotting for Martin Truex Jr., will serve as spotter for Stenhouse and the No. 47 team starting this Sunday at Pocono Raceway.

“You know, obviously, that’s an unfortunate deal,” Stenhouse said. “The team let Tab Boyd go this week, and we got Clayton Hughes to come fill in. I’ve never worked with Clayton. You know, obviously, I think the concern for me is trying to get on the same page as quick as we can knowing that, like you said, the schedule coming up, going to Atlanta next week could be a very important race for our race team and trying to get us into the playoffs and put us in the right position.”

Stenhouse did not reveal the official reason as to why Boyd was let go from his position. However, Boyd found himself in controversy earlier this week. Boyd did not enjoy his time in Mexico City this past weekend and shared his negative experience on social media.

“I’m ready to go home, screw this place, people can talk it up all they want… can’t even walk out the front door of the hotel without getting hustled and money snatched….in less than 5 minutes,” Boyd tweeted June 14. “Good area my ass….”

Boyd has since deleted his X account. So, a new spotter for Stenhouse and the No. 47 team.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s eventful week continues

Changing spotters is never easy, especially at this point in the season. There are only 10 regular season races remaining on the schedule, and Stenhouse is on the outside looking in of the playoff picture. Just a few weeks ago, Stenhouse sat above the cutline.

But that was before Carson Hocevar dumped him at Nashville Superspeedway. It happened again in Mexico City while Hocevar was a lap down. Stenhouse has finished 20th or worse in his last three starts and is now 21st in the points standings.

Stenhouse told Hocevar at Mexico City, “I’m going to beat your ass when we get back to the States.” Both are back in the States. They’ll be in the same place this weekend at Pocono. We’ll see if Stenhouse follows through on his threat.