“I loved that too much to just let it die”: Bubba Wallace’s spotter delivers crystal clear refusal amid big internal shakeup

Bubba Wallace's spotter, Freddie Kraft, announced a major internal shakeup for the Door, Bumper, Clear NASCAR podcast. After the two original hosts left, Kraft said he wouldn't let the show die. He will instead go ahead with a renewed lineup for the 2025 season.

The Wallace and Kraft duo is one of the most celebrated driver-spotter partnerships in NASCAR. Outside the track, Kraft hosts the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast, a show known for its unfiltered commentary about the sport.

In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Freddie Kraft shared the latest update on the podcast. Instead of discontinuing the show after NASCAR spotters Brett Griffin and TJ Majors' departure, the NASCAR spotter will keep the show running with two new hosts.

"Not everyone loves change, and that’s ok. I had the choice to rebuild it, or let it die. I loved the show, and our listeners too much to just let it die," Kraft wrote.

Kraft introduced Tommy Baldwin Jr. and Karsyn Elledge as the new team members. Baldwin Jr. is a former NASCAR team owner and crew chief, while Elledge is the granddaughter of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. through Kelley Earnhardt-Miller.

"We’re gonna have a lot of fun this year. I hope you join Tommy, Karsyn, and I," the NASCAR spotter added.

He concluded:

"After all, it’s fun to have fun."

Aside from his Door, Bumper, Clear podcast duties, Freddie Kraft will return to the No. 23 team of Bubba Wallace as a spotter for 2025. Wallace drives the No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin.

The Mooresville-based outfit is set to debut a three-car lineup with the addition of Riley Herbst in the No. 35 Toyota. Tyler Reddick will also return to the team in the No. 45 car.

The 23XI Racing crew will kick off their season at the Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 on February 16.

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Bubba Wallace poked fun at spotter Freddie Kraft over fan rant

Following Kyle Larson's runner-up finish behind Christopher Bell at the Tulsa Shootout, Freddie Kraft commended Larson for trying to pass his rival. However, one fan seemed to mistake Kraft's comments, which led Bubba Wallace to jibe with his spotter.

The fan wrote:

"Always someone taking a swipe at the 5 car (driven by Larson in the Cup Series). Every.single.time. Every time he does something great, there’s always some trashy dude that has never driven a racecar trying to down play his accomplishments. People like Freddie who are backmarker spotters, have a big mouth and a large following, yet zero driving experience, are the biggest thing holding oval racing back."

The 23XI Racing spotter replied by writing:

"Wut?"

Bubba Wallace decided to add fuel to the fire and jokingly told his spotter to keep his mouth shut, saying:

"Yeah, stfu Freddie."

Kraft responded with:

"Roger. Shutting TFU."

Bubba Wallace and Freddie Kraft are teammates at 23XI Racing - Source: Imagn

The duo will return to action next month following a one-game suspension over alleged race manipulation in the penultimate race at Martinsville Speedway. The then crew chief Bootie Barker and spotter Freddie Kraft were suspended for the Phoenix Raceway season finale, while Wallace was fined and docked points.