May 20, 2025 — NASCAR News Desk
Bubba Wallace’s spotter, Freddie Kraft, is stepping into the growing debate surrounding Christopher Bell’s controversial pass on Joey Logano during the final laps of the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race — and he’s using recent Truck Series drama to back it up.
On a new episode of his podcast, Kraft drew a direct comparison between Bell’s Lap 241 move at North Wilkesboro and the aggressive late-race contact between Corey Heim and Ryan Riggs during the Craftsman Truck Series event in Kansas. Kraft argued that, just like Heim’s race-winning bump on Riggs, Bell’s maneuver was part of “classic short-track racing” — firm, but fair.
“Bell didn’t wreck Joey — he moved him. Just like Heim did to Riggs,” said Kraft. “That’s how it’s always been on short tracks. If you’re going to block all race, don’t be surprised when someone leans on you to make a move.”
Logano was furious post-race, claiming Bell “crossed a line” and vowing to “send him one back.” The comments lit up social media, where fans on X (formerly Twitter) debated whether Bell’s contact was justified or overly aggressive. Some fans echoed Kraft’s point, accusing Logano of hypocrisy given his own history of hard-nosed tactics. Others sided with Logano, suggesting Bell’s $1 million victory came at too high a price in terms of sportsmanship.
The reference to the Heim-Riggs feud — where Riggs publicly called out Heim for an “unnecessary hit” after losing — added fuel to Kraft’s argument. He suggested both Logano and Riggs were “overreacting to the nature of competitive racing.”
The controversy underscores NASCAR’s enduring culture of physical, high-stakes driving — especially under the spotlight of the All-Star Race, where there are no points, only pride and payday.
With the Cup Series now shifting to Charlotte, the Bell-Logano tension — and Kraft’s bold commentary — is sure to linger in the garage.
