Eyes in the Sky: Meet Spotter Tony Hirschman

 Credit: 310487Daniel Shirey/Getty Images 

Most drivers would have a hard time bouncing back after missing the first 11 races of the season, but not Kyle Busch. In just eight races since returning after his accident at Daytona, Busch has two wins. The No 18 team is now 85 points out of 30th and it’s looking like he’s on his way to making The Chase.

Helping Busch navigate the track is his spotter, Tony Hirschman

Hirschman isn’t a stranger to the fast paced world of racing. He comes from a family of racing, his father and brother are racers. According to Speed51, Hirschman’s father is a five-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion. Hirschman’s younger brother Matt currently races in the NASCAR Modified Tour.

In 2011 Hirschman spoke with Skirts and Scuffs where he shared that he'd always loved racing because he grew up learning from his father. He enjoyed being in the pits and that's where his journey as a spotter began.

Before joining Joe Gibbs Racing, Hirschman acted as spotter for David Ragan at Roush-Fenway Racing and AJ Almendinger at Richard Petty Motorsports. During that time he also guided Reed Sorensen in the Xfinity Series and Timothy Peters in the Camping World Truck Series. According to the spotter, the real importance of his job lies in making sure his driver is safe throughout the race.

Since being paired together in 2012, Hirschman has helped guide Busch to eight victories in the Sprint Cup Series.

Follow Hirshman on Twitter at @T_Hosh