“He Just Beat the Folk Hero!” Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Mocks Denny Hamlin over Smug Michigan One-Liner

23XI's spotter Freddie Kraft fires shots at Denny Hamlin for his over-the-top cocky statements following his Michigan win.

“He Just Beat the Folk Hero!” Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Mocks Denny Hamlin over Smug Michigan One-Liner

Bubba Wallace (via Getty), Denny Hamlin (via USA Today)

Denny Hamlin never holds back from celebrating his race win’s by making some cocky and brutal statements on the victory lane. Hamlin recently secured his third victory of the 2025 season at Michigan and made a smug one-liner on his win. Now, Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft has shared his candid opinion on the JGR star’s statements after the victory.

Denny Hamlin achieved his 57th career NASCAR Cup win at the FireKeepers Casino 400 and brought back his iconic line that his father, Dennis Hamlin, asked him not to use. The JGR Star apologized to his father and asserted that he beat everyone’s favorite drivers at Michigan and would continue to do so. Hamlin’s victory came after overtaking Chris Buescher in the final five laps, Freddie Kraft believes that this isn’t a big achievement in itself.

Freddie Kraft pointed out that he thought highly of his boss Denny Hamlin and his performances. Still, the 23XI spotter reckoned that the celebration line was a bit awful, even for Hamlin’s standards. Kraft asserted that the JGR veteran needed to find something more original than this line.

I always say the guy’s great, but this was awful. Like, we’ve got to do something better than this…. we’ve got to stop with this d*mn beat your favorite driver.

Freddie Kraft said on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.

Kraft further fired the shots at Hamlin and highlighted how overtaking Buescher wasn’t the biggest achievement. The 42-year-old insisted that if the veteran beat drivers like Chase Elliott or Kyle Larson during the final stages, then the victory would be commendable. However, beating the ‘folk hero’ in Chris Buescher wasn’t worthy of such a cocky celebration from the Sunday-race winner.

Like if he would have outrun like Chase (Elliott) or (Kyle) Larson or (Ryan) Blaney or somebody, I’d be okay with it. But he just beat the folk hero, Chris Buescher. That’s not not the ultra popular driver.

Freddie Kraft added.

Freddie Kraft asserts NASCAR needs an ‘a**hole’ like Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin has voluntarily taken on the role of being NASCAR’s Villain, as apparent from his comments on Sunday night. Now, as Hamlin continues to receive mixed reactions upon his stellar win in Michigan, Freddie Kraft points out the positives of the No.11 driver’s controversial candor. Despite being wary of the JGR star’s Sunday celebrations, Kraft didn’t hesitate to applaud his villain-like attitude.

Denny Hamlin (via Getty)
Denny Hamlin (via Getty)

Freddie Kraft applauded Denny Hamlin’s idea of ’11 Against the World’ after winning in Martinsville earlier this year. While that was funny and earned him some praise, the sport still needed a protagonist, per se. As such, Hamlin was more than ready to take on that role of being a Villain, as he also fits a lot of criteria to remain at the center of attraction.

I liked when the leaning into the 11 against the world because they had the flag at the damn national championship game… That stuff’s funny. We need a heel… So we need we need an ass***e and Denny’s obviously happy to take that role.

Freddie Kraft noted.

Hamlin’s championship-less streak might receive a shocking twist this year as he isn’t that far away from the top of the table and achieving his first career title. The JGR veteran is just 82 points shy of the championship lead against William Byron. Hence, the No.11 driver has to ensure that he keeps up with such results, no matter the backlash hurled towards him over the upcoming races.

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