NASCAR spotter Freddie Kraft recently opened up about how differently he approaches his job depending on which driver he is working with. His comments reveal how much a spotter’s role actually varies from driver to driver.
Freddie Kraft Explains the Difference Between Spotting for Bubba Wallace and Rookies
Kraft made the remarks on “The Door Bumper Clear” podcast, where he compared his experience spotting for Bubba Wallace versus working with younger drivers. Kraft was direct about how Wallace operates, noting that the driver for 23XI Racing simply does not need much input while racing.
“Bubba doesn’t want any information, he kind of fences for himself,” Kraft said, explaining that the veteran driver prefers handling things on his own out on the track.
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That approach is a far cry from how Kraft works with younger drivers. He noted that with Dean Thompson, Luke Fenhaus, and Gio Ruggiero, he must provide significantly more information during a race. He keeps them updated in ways that Wallace never needed. It is not a criticism of either approach, but rather a reflection of experience and personal style.
What makes Kraft’s confession particularly interesting is the honesty behind it. He pointed out that if fans were to hear some of the audio from his spotting sessions with Wallace, the minimal communication would probably shock them. “If I told you that you would lose your mind on me,” he said, laughing about how little he sometimes says.
Meanwhile, the contrast between Wallace and the rookies goes beyond just communication volume. It speaks to how veteran drivers develop an instinctive feel for the car and the track, trusting their own judgment more than any voice in their ear. Younger drivers, still learning those instincts, lean harder on their spotters for real-time guidance.
Kraft said he essentially sounds like two completely different spotters depending on who he is working with, and the gap between Wallace and the rookies is noticeable. He described it as a reflection of different driver styles and how much each one wants to be told during a race, framing it as something that makes the job interesting rather than difficult.
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It is a rare look inside the spotter-driver relationship, one that usually stays behind closed doors. Kraft wrapped up his thoughts on a lighter note, calling the whole thing genuinely fun to observe. “It’s fun to just see the different driver styles and how much information you guys want,” Kraft said, showing that even after more than a decade in Wallace’s ear, the job still keeps him engaged.
For Wallace, even if half of what Kraft says frustrates him, the trust built over 15 years speaks louder than any radio call ever could. Kraft has been Wallace’s spotter for over 13 years, and the two have built one of the longest-running driver-spotter relationships in the sport.
Their bond is strong, but that does not mean it is always smooth. Wallace admitted that his in-race relationship with Kraft is a 50-50 deal. He listens to half of what Kraft says while the other half, in his own words, “p***** him off.” He even joked that he tells Kraft to shut up almost every single weekend.
