Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Disputes Talladega Radio Report

Bubba Wallace’s spotter, Freddie Kraft, says a radio message from Talladega Superspeedway has been misread. He says Wallace was upset about a near-miss, not about being told to help teammate Tyler Reddick.

Kraft made his case on X on Tuesday in a reply to NASCAR journalist Danielle Trotta.

Millions of people heard Bubba say “I don’t want to be in a position to take care of this MF, they should have gotten their shit full”

Which was in response to something that happened on the track. Not for being told to push the 45 like you stated.

Facts matter. Silly Me. https://t.co/0SgtSc39Dj

— Freddie Kraft (@FreddieKraft) October 27, 2026

“Millions of people heard Bubba say, ‘I don’t want to be in a position to take care of this MF, they should have gotten their s*** full.’ Which was in response to something that happened on the track. Not for being told to push the 45 like you stated. Facts matter. Silly me,” Kraft wrote.

The exchange happened during Stage 1 of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota was short on fuel, apparently because it was not fully filled on a pit stop. 23XI Racing wanted Wallace to help him reach the end of the stage. Wallace’s radio comments sparked teammate drama at Talladega.

Trotta reported that 23XI told Wallace to push Reddick, who was still in title contention.

Kraft gave his side on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. He said he expected Reddick to move into the outside lane as the lead group came by.

Instead, Kraft said, Reddick pulled down and picked up Austin Hill, who was behind the pack. Kraft said that move nearly caused contact and left Wallace worried about being put in a dangerous spot.

Trotta stood by her reporting. Replying to a fan on X, she said millions of viewers heard Wallace’s radio because NBC aired it during the broadcast.

She also criticized Kraft for denying her account and questioned why his podcast co-hosts did not push back on his explanation.

Kraft said manufacturer teamwork is part of superspeedway racing. Chevrolets help Chevrolets and Toyotas help Toyotas, he said. His issue is with how the radio message was described.

The day did not go well for either 23XI driver. Wallace finished 22nd in the No. 23 Toyota, and Reddick was collected in the Lap 132 pileup and finished 37th.

Reddick is seventh in the Chase standings, 126 points behind Kyle Larson. Wallace is 13th, 218 points back, and can no longer win the title.

23XI is co-owned by Denny Hamlin, who is second in the standings, 73 points behind Larson. The Cup Series races Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, with two races left in the motorsports title fight.

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.