Freddie Kraft, who serves as the spotter for Bubba Wallace, addressed the moment the No. 23 Toyota lost a wheel on pit road during the final stage of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond. Despite the setback, Kraft expressed that the team’s strong performance helped soften the blow of the incident during the race weekend.
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.
Teammate Chase Briscoe Assists After Wheel Loss
Following the loss of the wheel, Bubba Wallace pulled into the pit box staffed by his Toyota teammate Chase Briscoe’s crew, who were able to quickly get the wheel back on the No. 23 car. Although Wallace was able to finish the race, the issue resulted in him ending the day in 28th place despite leading much of the event. This unexpected error marred what had been a strong showing for Wallace at Richmond.
Recent Strong Runs Highlight Wallace’s Performance
Obviously, that ruined our day, Kraft admitted.
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.
Kraft’s perspective is supported by Wallace’s recent success, including his victory at the Brickyard 400, which secured his playoff spot. This win at Indianapolis helps mitigate the disappointment of the Richmond wheel loss within the NASCAR Cup Series season.
Beyond Richmond, Wallace has showcased strong form as the regular season approaches its conclusion. Over his last five races, the 31-year-old driver earned four top-10 finishes, placing seventh at Dover, winning at Indianapolis, sixth at Iowa, and eighth at Watkins Glen.
Looking Ahead to Season Finale at Daytona
The regular season for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series wraps up on Saturday with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. Bubba Wallace will aim to build on his current momentum, looking to improve his playoff position and enhance his chances of advancing further into the postseason rounds. After overcoming the wheel loss setback at Richmond, maintaining that competitive edge will be crucial moving forward.
