CBS’s Tracker may be Justin Hartley’s action-packed hit, but eagle-eyed fans of Supernatural have noticed something special woven through its episodes — subtle Easter eggs that nod to Hartley’s real-life friendship with Jensen Ackles. From sly dialogue cues to background details, Tracker quietly pays tribute to one of TV’s most beloved demon-hunting duos.
1. The Classic Impala Shoutout
In Season 2, Episode 3, Colter Shaw (Hartley) jokes about a car that’s “old but still runs smoother than any modern ride.” The vehicle? A black 1967 Chevy Impala — the same model Jensen Ackles’ Dean Winchester drove in Supernatural. The reference wasn’t random: according to Tracker’s production designer, Hartley specifically requested the Impala as “a wink to an old friend.”
2. “Carry On Wayward Son” Cameo
In Episode 9, while Colter tracks a missing teen through the woods, the radio in a passing truck plays Kansas’ Carry On Wayward Son — the signature song of Supernatural. Fans flooded Reddit threads with excitement, calling it “the best Easter egg since Dean’s jacket showed up in The Boys.”
3. Dean Winchester’s Jacket
Speaking of jackets, Episode 14 featured Colter briefly wearing a dark brown leather coat that looked nearly identical to Dean’s iconic outfit. The costume designer later confirmed in a TV Insider interview that it was a “tribute piece” borrowed from Ackles’ personal collection.
4. The ‘Hunter’s Journal’ Prop
In the midseason finale, viewers spotted a leather-bound journal labeled “Case Log #67” — a near-exact replica of the Winchester brothers’ demon-hunting journal. The show’s prop master later revealed it was intentionally added as “a little gift to the fandom that made genre TV what it is today.”
5. A Familiar Motel Room
Fans noticed that a rundown Nevada motel in Tracker’s second season was shot on the same Vancouver set frequently used for Supernatural. Even the wallpaper and lamp placements were identical — a clever visual callback that sent fans into detective mode online.
6. The Jensen Ackles Voice Cameo
The most talked-about Easter egg came in Season 2’s finale, when an unseen dispatcher’s voice over the phone sounded strikingly like Ackles. Though CBS never confirmed it officially, several insiders claim it was indeed Jensen recording a brief line as “a fun favor for Justin.”
7. A Tribute in the Credits
At the end of that same finale, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it title card read: “For J.A. — Keep carrying on.” It was a heartfelt tribute from Hartley and the Tracker crew to Ackles, symbolizing their mutual respect after years of crossing paths in Hollywood.
Why These Tributes Matter
For Justin Hartley, who’s long admired Ackles’ work ethic and genre legacy, these Easter eggs represent more than just inside jokes — they’re nods to a friendship built on mutual fandom and shared storytelling roots.
As Tracker moves into Season 3, fans are already speculating what other Supernatural-inspired surprises might appear. Maybe a cameo? Maybe another classic rock track?
Whatever comes next, one thing’s clear — Tracker knows exactly how to honor its influences while blazing its own trail.
