During the dramatic final lap at Kansas Speedway, Freddie Kraft, serving as the spotter for Bubba Wallace, shared critical insight into the decisive moments that shaped the race’s outcome. Kraft explained on the Door Bumper Clear podcast how he guided Wallace through the intense finish, where the Bubba Wallace Kansas final lap became the focal point of the event as Wallace fought to maintain his lead against aggressive competitors.
Spotter Details Real-Time Communication in Race’s Closing Moments
Freddie Kraft broke down his communication strategy with Wallace as they navigated the tension-packed end of the race. Kraft described his approach to reading the field and keeping Wallace updated on challenges from behind.
“I’m just looking to see where the runs are coming from,”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace. He continued to detail his observation as Denny Hamlin, another key figure in NASCAR, mounted a significant push out of Turn 4. Kraft revealed that he advised Wallace, saying Hamlin had a massive surge, prompting him to urge Wallace to defend the inside line while also cautioning him not to approach the corner too shallowly, which could compromise speed and control.
Reflecting on the evolving situation, Kraft shared his uncertainties about optimal positioning:
“I didn’t know where Bubba was intending to run through [Turns] 1 and 2. We had been pretty good on the bottom. I think hindsight, I probably wish we… It’s so circumstantial because the way it played out, I wish we were at the top to make Denny’s air a little dirtier. But if we go to the top, he may just peel to the bottom, and we’re in the same position in the [Turns] 3 and 4 anyway,”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace.
Wallace Falls Short After Fierce Defense Against Hamlin
As the lead changed hands in the final lap, Kraft recounted how he gave Wallace multiple options to defend against Denny Hamlin, with the intention of preserving both momentum and control. He observed that Wallace attempted a minor block against Hamlin just before they lined up side by side. This maneuver resulted in contact, sending Wallace into the outer wall and causing a loss of momentum and ultimately, the lead.
Kraft commented about the tense racing between the top contenders, noting,
“I don’t think anybody did anything wrong,”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace. Continuing, he explained the high stakes involved:
“We had to race the 20 (Christopher Bell) aggressively because we’re trying to save our season. The 11 (Hamlin) is trying to win races for numerous reasons,”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace.
Bubba Wallace managed to finish fifth in Kansas, a solid performance, but it was insufficient to secure his advancement to the next stage of the NASCAR Playoffs. The points gap places Wallace 26 points below the cutoff, requiring a victory at the Charlotte Roval to avoid elimination from the playoffs. The pressure remains high for Wallace and his team, setting the stage for another intense weekend as the playoff battle continues.
