The Arrow McLaren team has dedicated this weekend’s NTT IndyCar Series race in Toronto to its late spotter Bob Jeffrey, who died of cancer on Thursday.
Within the spotter community, Jeffrey was revered as one of the best, whose extended NASCAR career saw him steer everyone from Dale Jarrett to Tony Stewart to Danica Patrick from high atop Cup tracks, and in IndyCar, where he was an integral part of Josef Newgarden’s championship program at Team Penske before joining Arrow McLaren to guide Pato O’Ward.
“We race for Bob this weekend,” the team said in a statement. “We lost a good one yesterday. Bob Jeffrey, spotter for Pato O’Ward and our No. 5 team, passed away after a battle with cancer. Bob was a favorite in the paddock with his contagious laugh and brilliant personality. He is renowned as one of the greatest spotters in motorsport, having won championships in IndyCar, NASCAR, and IMSA as the ‘eye in the sky’ for a number of first-rate racers, including Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett and Josef Newgarden. Most of all, Bob will be remembered as a fun-loving family man who always greeted his teammates with a smile. We miss you, Bob, forever our eye in the sky.”
The team’s three cars will carry tribute stickers to Jeffrey.
RIP ole friend. We will drink heaven outta Mich Ultra when I get there. pic.twitter.com/YzCm08GqNl
— Brett Griffin (@SpotterBrett) July 18, 2024
My friend Bob @EyeInTheSky14 followed the sign up to the highest of all spotter’s stands yesterday. Rest easy big guy. Wish I could hear just one more “Me & Smoke” story. Such a good human, spotter, friend, and legend. Our band of brothers lost a good one 😢 pic.twitter.com/nknzgaC64E
— David Hunt (@GoDavidHunt) July 19, 2024