Freddie Kraft, longtime spotter for Bubba Wallace, recently addressed speculation concerning Austin Cindric’s position at Team Penske following significant leadership changes within the IndyCar team. These developments surfaced shortly after Team Penske announced the departure of Tim Cindric, the IndyCar Team President, as well as other key executives, amidst a controversy involving technical violations during the 2025 Indianapolis 500 qualifying.
The team’s leadership changes occurred after officials found illegal modifications to the rear of the cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power, which breached IndyCar’s technical rules designed to prevent aerodynamic advantages. As a result, both drivers were disqualified from the Fast 12 segment and placed at the back of the starting grid. Additionally, Team Penske received a fine totaling $200,000 for the infraction.
Respected motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass reported on these departures on his social media platform X, stating:
“Team Penske announced today the departures of INDYCAR Team President, Tim Cindric, INDYCAR Managing Director, Ron Ruzewski and INDYCAR General Manager Kyle Moyer from the organization.”
Responding to this news, Freddie Kraft emphasized that this situation does not impact Austin Cindric’s role at Team Penske, challenging any connections suggested by commentators on social media. Kraft wrote:
“Anyone in the replies speculating that this has some kind of effect on Austin, hasn’t been watching the races this year.”
Kraft is a well-established figure in motorsports, having served as Bubba Wallace’s spotter for over 15 years. His career began at Riverhead Raceway on Long Island, progressing through various grassroots levels before reaching the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his spotting duties, Kraft has gained recognition as a commentator on the popular “Door Bumper Clear Podcast,” where he shares candid insights about NASCAR.
Freddie Kraft Addresses Joey Logano’s Reaction to All-Star Race Incident
In addition to commenting on the Team Penske situation, Freddie Kraft recently spoke out about the drama involving Joey Logano and Christopher Bell during the NASCAR All-Star Race. Kraft criticized Logano’s reaction after Bell made a decisive inside pass late in the race, which cost Logano the lead and key track positions.
Kraft described Logano’s remarks on the incident as hypocritical, underscoring that Logano is known for similar aggressive racing tactics when pursuing a victory. On the Door Bumper Clear podcast, he said:
“This is probably one of the most hypocritical things I’ve ever heard anybody say[…]He held him (Bell) off for like seven laps, and I’m like, ‘This guy is the best defensive racer in our sport.’ Knowing that Joey is as good as he is defensively, if you get an opportunity, you have to take it. And that’s what Bell did, and he didn’t wreck him,” Bubba Wallace’s spotter said on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.
“What it comes down to is, finally, like I said earlier, the roles were reversed. He was finally the best car and got beat by you know, strategy or caution. You should have known for 40 laps that this is coming, like what was your plan?” he added.
Kraft highlighted that given Logano’s reputation as one of NASCAR’s top defensive racers, it was predictable that a driver like Bell would seize a late-race opportunity. His remarks conveyed frustration with Logano’s inability to anticipate such a move during crucial moments of the race.
Implications of Team Penske’s Leadership Changes and Kraft’s Defense of Austin Cindric
The departure of Tim Cindric, Ron Ruzewski, and Kyle Moyer represents a significant shakeup for Team Penske’s IndyCar operations, especially amid the fallout from the Indianapolis 500 qualifying penalty. These changes signal the team’s effort to address the controversy and reassess leadership accountability.
Freddie Kraft’s defense of Austin Cindric underscores the distinction between the business-level turmoil and the on-track performance of drivers. By clarifying that Austin Cindric remains unaffected by the controversy, Kraft seeks to separate the driver’s reputation and future at the team from the administrative issues currently unfolding.
Looking ahead, how Team Penske restructures its leadership and maintains competitive integrity in IndyCar will be closely watched by fans and industry insiders. Meanwhile, Kraft’s involvement in ongoing NASCAR discussions, including his outspoken views on race politics and strategy, keeps him a prominent voice within the motorsports community.
