“This Is Gonna Be Very Unpopular!” Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Blasts NASCAR Over Approving Cleetus McFarland to Race at Daytona

23XI Racing spotter Freddie Kraft shared his thoughts on controversy over Cleetus McFarland’s Daytona Truck race wreck.

“This Is Gonna Be Very Unpopular!” Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Blasts NASCAR Over Approving Cleetus McFarland to Race at Daytona

Bubba Wallace, Freddie Kraft and Cleetus McFarland (Via IMAGO, stockcarreport.com and motorsport.com)

The 2026 NASCAR Truck Series season opener at Daytona featured some big names such as Tony Stewart, Travis Pastrana and YouTube sensation Garrett Mitchell a.k.a Cleetus McFarland. A significant set of race fans weren’t happy with the latter getting approved to race and the event proved why as the 30-year wrecked on lap-6 of the race.

Cleetus McFarland couldn’t handle the three wide battle and aero difference. He was fortunate he didn’t collect any other driver in the wild wreck. Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft was really disappointed with NASCAR for allowing someone with just two ARCA races at Daytona in his resume to race at big event alongside another controversial figure Nattalie Decker, who also wrecked later.  

This is gonna be very unpopular, and I’m sorry, but what are we doing? Are we trying to get the best racecar drivers on the racetrack, or are we trying to get the biggest social media following? … There were two glaring examples this weekend: one was Cleetus, obviously, in the Truck race.

Freddie Kraft said Monday on Door Bumper Clear podcast.

The 23XI insider pointed out that there is a system in place in NASCAR to deny entry to driver without enough experience. Kraft asserted that NASCAR should not make decision just based on how many races the drivers started at Daytona and instead should look into the results.

What has he done? For me, I get it, there’s a system in place that you have to run certain races to get approved for other races. The system should not be based on participation; it needs to be based on results. This guy ran two plate races last year, wrecked in both of them, wrecked half the field in one of them trying to do a restart.

Freddie Kraft added.

Cleetus McFarland

Freddie Kraft explains the safety issue with approving Cleetus McFarland

In the same conversation, Kraft asserted that the field was lucky Cleetus McFarland didn’t wipe out half of the field in the incident. If not for the dumb luck moment, the Truck race would have been chaos before it even started.

Cleetus McFarland Wrecks
Cleetus McFarland Wrecks at Daytona (Via motorport.com and @rebilasphoto/X)

We’re just lucky the other night that he didn’t wipe out the Truck field because when he spun, he went down instead of up and he was running in the top 10 when it happened. … It was just dumb luck that he didn’t wipe out half the field.

Freddie Kraft said.

He highlighted the safety factor that needs to be addressed, as allowing McFarland to race without enough experience is dangerous for himself as the rest of the garage. Kraft didn’t completely discredit the racer, as he also highlighted the good qualities shown by McFarland.

We talk about safety — I’m sure he’s a great guy, he seems like a phenomenal person, he’s got great car control in the videos I watch, he drives anything in the world — he’s not ready for what he’s doing. So, you can’t approve these people to go out there.

Freddie Kraft added.

The comments from the veteran are on point, as Cleetus McFarland needs to race more in ARCA and prove himself before making another attempt in the Truck Series. He has the passion and resources to be a good racer, but for that needs to show patience with his career progression.

Also Read: Kevin Harvick Warns 23XI Racing of “Messy Future” If Cup Wins Dries Up