Freddie Kraft, the spotter for Bubba Wallace, addressed the incident where Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota lost a wheel during the final stage of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond. Kraft remained upbeat despite the setback, explaining the situation on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.

We had so many tires we were going to leave one on pit road,

Kraft joked.

A gut punch. Thank God we won the race at Indy because they would have been a filler if Austin [Dillon] wins and we were there. Our car was so fast, and then we come down pit road and unfortunately lose a wheel. It was the perfect scenario. It followed us to the pit box.

—Freddie Kraft, Spotter

Teammate Chase Briscoe Steps In After Wheel Loss

After losing the wheel, Bubba Wallace made an unplanned stop at the pit box assigned to fellow Toyota driver Chase Briscoe. Briscoe’s crew helped get the wheel back on Wallace’s car, enabling him to finish the race. Despite this effort, Wallace ended up 28th, a major disappointment after leading much of the event.

Bubba Wallace’s Recent Performance Has Been Strong

While the pit road mishap spoiled their day, Kraft emphasized the speed and potential of Wallace’s car throughout the race.

It’s one of those days where if you got a fast car like that, it almost hurts less. I don’t know if we could have beat the three (Dillon). They had that thing all jazzed up like they always do at Richmond. It hurts, but we were fast. Hopefully, we can carry that speed.

—Freddie Kraft, Spotter

Kraft acknowledged the team’s strength and expressed hope that the momentum will continue in upcoming races.

Wallace’s Victory at Indy Soothes the Richmond Setback

The pain from the Richmond incident was softened by Wallace’s earlier win at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, securing his place in the NASCAR playoffs. This crucial victory made the Richmond wheel loss less damaging in terms of championship aspirations.

Wallace’s Consistent Top-10 Finishes Signal Playoff Readiness

Outside Richmond, Bubba Wallace has delivered impressive performances, finishing in the top 10 in four of the last five races. Highlights include a seventh-place finish at Dover, winning at Indianapolis, sixth at Iowa, and eighth at Watkins Glen. This strong closing stretch positions him well as the regular season approaches its conclusion.

Looking Ahead to the Daytona Finale and Playoff Implications

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season wraps up on Saturday with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. Wallace aims to build on his recent pace to climb higher in the playoff standings, improving his chances of advancing to the next round in the postseason.