Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Warns HMS Prodigy Corey Day Against Becoming “Reckless” Like Carson Hocevar

NASCAR insider Freddie Kraft has given a stern warning to Hendrick Motorsports’ Corey Day over his wreck-prone racing style.

Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Warns HMS Prodigy Corey Day Against Becoming “Reckless” Like Carson Hocevar

Carson Hocevar, Freddie Kraft and Corey Day (Via IMAGO, stockcarreport.com and raceface.tv)

In Short
  • Corey Day is facing criticism for reckless driving after multiple wrecks in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Bubba Wallace's spotter warns Day to avoid earning a bad reputation like Carson Hocevar.
  • Veterans emphasize the need for Day to improve teamwork and pit strategy to succeed in racing.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season marked the full-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut of Corey Day, with the No:17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy team. Unfortunately, the HMS prodigy is earning a bad reputation for himself after the first two races of the season after getting involved in multiple wrecks.

23XI Racing veteran Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft is not happy with the youngster and in the latest episode of his Door Bumper Clear podcast, he warned him against becoming reckless like Spire Motorsports Carson Hocevar. He pointed out that the experience campaigners in the series will not give him a break if the wrecking streak continues.

I think the biggest thing for him is he’s going to have to work. He’s getting the same reputation that Carson (Hocevar) kind of has, where — reckless. You know what I mean? And now you’re, it takes, you’ve got to get on the other side of that in a hurry.

Freddie Kraft said via Door Bumper Clear Podcast.

Further talking about the point, Kraft highlighted the resources Day has under his disposal being an HMS racer and how he has a secure seat for the future, giving him the freedom to make mistakes. But making too many mistakes is costing him the respect of the grid and needs to flip the script on it, before things goes south.  

He’s got plenty of support from behind. Nobody’s going to fire him next week because he’s making mistakes. But you’re going to get raced differently if you continue to let this stuff happen. So, I feel like you’ve got to flip that script and turn it around and figure out how to start getting the respect back of the guys you’re racing with.

Freddie Kraft added.

Tommy Baldwin gives a similar warning to Corey Day

Talking about the same on the podcast, ex-team owner Tommy Baldwin shared his thoughts on the young racer. He pointed out that Corey Day needs to slow down and understands he needs to work with his team to finish the race, in order to succeed in the sport.

Tommy Baldwin
Tommy Baldwin (via nascar.com)

Yeah, I mean he just needs to slow it down a little. But he’s got really fast cars. Just needs to take his time and understand that this is more of a team effort, right? Sprint car, right, you’ve got to go 30 laps, you’ve got to make it happen.

Tommy Baldwin Jr. said.

Further talking about the point, Baldwin asserted that the No:17 team also needs to work on becoming better with the pit strategy. They have to help the youngster to learn he doesn’t have to make aggressive moves on track earn track position.

Well, this pit strategy, another change you can make on a pit stop, there’s things that can help you advance in track position from a pit stop. Once he grasps the whole concept, I think his talent will take him.

Tommy Baldwin Jr. added.

The comments from the veterans on Day is rational and on point. HMS leaders need to sit down with their driver and help him understand the big picture. If they fail to give him the right lessons in during the development stage, they might miss out on the next Kyle Larson.

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