In NASCAR, what significance do you think the spotter carries? Well, going by the words of Nick Payne, the 23XI Racing Spotter for Tyler Reddick, “You’re the driver’s metaphorical eyes. You’re constantly feeding them information: how to drive, what to do if they wreck, and where people are driving. Sometimes you’re a cheerleader. Sometimes you’re the voice of reason.” Take Eddie D’Hondt for example. He served as Jeff Gordon’s spotter from 2012 to 2015 and contributed to Gordon’s success during that period. Similarly, “My spotter is definitely an all-star,’’ Brad Keselowski once said when asked about his spotter Joey Meier.
For Bubba Wallace, that voice belongs to Freddie Kraft, his longtime friend and trusted guide. But at Homestead-Miami, a simple decision from Kraft had a lasting impact. Wallace had the car, the speed, and the determination—but one moment proved costly.
Spotter’s decision impacts Wallace’s stage-one performance
At the 2025 Straight Talk Wireless 400 in Homestead-Miami, Bubba Wallace showcased remarkable speed, but an early strategic choice affected his Stage One outcome. Freddie Kraft, Wallace’s spotter, reflected on the decision. “I allowed him to choose the wrong lane when I should have just made him pick.“ This choice led Wallace to line up behind the No. 71 car, which was on two tires. Anticipating room to maneuver, Wallace instead found himself boxed in, dropping from seventh to twelfth place.
Despite the setback, Wallace and his team demonstrated resilience. Kraft praised Wallace’s performance. “From that point on, just really, really good race car. Bubba did a great job.“ Utilizing the slider line in turns one and two, Wallace advanced through the field. He eventually took the lead, holding off competitors like Kyle Larson, a testament to his skill and the car’s competitiveness.
As the race progressed, maintaining the lead became more challenging. Kraft observed. “We just didn’t have the raw speed at the end to hold them guys off.“ Alex Bowman, in particular, was closing in when he made contact with the wall, allowing him to overtake Wallace. By lap 251, Wallace led 56 laps, the most of any driver so far. However, he was overtaken first by Bowman and then by Larson, resulting in him finishing third overall.
In the closing laps, the team faced strategic decisions. Kraft recounted his thoughts. “We’re running third, and I’m like, man, if we just catch a yellow…“ Recognizing their strength on short runs and the pit crew’s efficiency, a late caution could have provided an opportunity to challenge for the win. However, given recent misfortunes, the priority shifted to securing a solid finish without additional risks.
Approaching the checkered flag, Wallace injected humor into the tense atmosphere. He radioed, “Oh, I got a tire down.“ Kraft, momentarily alarmed, realized the jest when Wallace clarified, “Just kidding.” This exchange, though causing a brief spike in tension, showcased the camaraderie and rapport between driver and spotter, even in high-pressure situations. At least, the situation here was not as dire as Austin Dillon’s 2024 Cook Out 400 at Richmond!
Austin Dillon “had the car under control with the hard entry” at Turn 3, when he rammed Joey Logano into a spin and into the wall. Tragedy struck when Denny Hamlin approached to overtake him from the inside. At that point, Brandon Benesch, Dillon’s spotter could be heard shouting on the radio, “Down, down, down, run him down – wreck him!” This was accompanied by a collision, where Dillon hooked Hamlin hard into the Turn 4 wall.
Post-race, Austin Dillon stood by his side, and said, it was wrong of Benesch to say so. There was a lot of heat thrown at the team, but, we know it was just excitement, right? But, Wallace and Co. look forward to a more fruitful season.
Bubba Wallace eyes a strong run at Martinsville Speedway
Bubba Wallace now shifts his focus to Martinsville Speedway, one of the most challenging short tracks on the NASCAR schedule. Known as “The Paperclip,” Martinsville demands precision, patience, and aggressive racecraft. Wallace has shown flashes of brilliance here before, finishing eighth in 2022, eleventh in 2023 playoff races, and fourth in the Cup Series race in 2024. However, consistency has been a challenge, with mixed results in recent seasons.
Moreover, in November 2024, NASCAR imposed significant penalties on Bubba Wallace and his team following the Martinsville Speedway race. Wallace was fined $100,000 and docked 50 driver points for violating NASCAR’s member conduct policies, specifically related to actions detrimental to stock car racing and race manipulation.
His team, 23XI Racing, faced identical penalties, including a $100,000 fine and a 50 owner points deduction. Additionally, crew chief Bootie Barker was suspended for the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Short tracks have traditionally suited Wallace’s driving style, and with the momentum from his strong Homestead run, he could be a factor. His team’s recent improvements in race strategy and execution will be crucial.
Spotter Freddie Kraft, who plays a key role in navigating the chaos of Martinsville, will need to be at his sharpest. The biggest challenge for Bubba Wallace will be track position and avoiding the inevitable late-race chaos. Martinsville is notorious for its bumper-to-bumper racing and aggressive late-race moves. With Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing usually dominating the track, Wallace and 23XI Racing must bring their A-game.
But can Wallace break through and deliver a career-defining performance at Martinsville?
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