“We need to make it”: Bubba Wallace’s spotter shares his take on ‘hot seat’ conversation following winless 2024

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's spotter, Freddie Kraft, recently spoke about his expectations for the 2025 season. Kraft picked drivers that he thought should indefinitely be a part of next year's playoffs.

Bubba Wallace competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the #23 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Over his eight-year NASCAR career, he has earned eight wins across various divisions, including two in the Cup Series. Wallace's 2024 season started with setbacks but saw improved performances as the year progressed. Despite his efforts, he fell short of making the 2024 playoffs, highlighting both the challenges and resilience in his campaign.

In a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, veteran spotters Freddie Kraft, Brett Griffin, and TJ Majors discussed their prospects for the 2025 season. Kraft believed that the #23 driver, Wallace, has a lot on the line if he doesn't make the playoffs.

"We(the #23 team) need to make it. If you go back and look at the stats and the points we put up, Bubba(Wallace) would have finished 10th in points again this year if he had made it, which he didn't. There's guys that need to be closer, Eric Jones is one. He can't be 28th and points next year"

All the members of the podcast agreed that Bubba Wallace and two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, who missed out on the playoff for the first time in 11 years, should be winning at least one race a year.

Meanwhile, Wallace, whose future at 23XI was questioned, signed a contract extension with his team earlier this year and will compete for the Cup Series title as an open car in 2025.

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“Never be the same without him”: Bubba Wallace’s spotter makes his feelings known about his colleague’s exit

Bubba Wallace's spotter, Freddie Kraft, is one of four members of Dirty Mo Media's Door Bumper Clear podcast. Recently, his colleague Brett Griffin announced that he would be leaving the podcast, to which Kraft expressed his emotions.

Brett Griffin wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"Thank you, listeners, I’ve had a blast on this journey and my goal was simple - share the knowledge and experiences I’ve had during my career. Let’s laugh and learn as we go and we did just that. Ep 355 was my last. ❤️"

Bubba Wallace's spotter responded to this news by writing an emotional message for Griffin.

"Well I’m damn sure gonna miss fighting, and laughing my a** off with one of my best friends every Monday morning," Kraft wrote. "If DBC continues, it’ll certainly never be the same without Brett. Thanks for bringing me along for the ride Playa. Holla."

Throughout his 20-year NASCAR career, Brett Griffin has assumed the role of a spotter for notable drivers such as Clint Bowyer, Elliott Sadler, and Jeff Burton, helping them win races.