Freddie Kraft and Tommy Baldwin Debate NASCAR’s Championship Tire Strategy
Bubba Wallace’s spotter, Freddie Kraft, and Door Bumper Clear co-host Tommy Baldwin had a heated debate over NASCAR’s tire strategy for the championship race. Their disagreement centered on whether the season finale at Phoenix should feature two tire compounds or just a single, softer compound.
Last weekend’s Phoenix race was widely praised as one of the best at the track, largely due to the introduction of two different tire compounds. The softer (red) tires allowed drivers to move through the field quickly, creating an exciting and dynamic race.
Although Kraft acknowledged the race’s entertainment value, he argued against using two compounds in the championship event. He believed that race strategy, particularly with caution timing, could unfairly influence the title fight. A driver who strategically saves their softer tires for the end could gain an advantage if a caution falls at the right moment, potentially impacting the championship outcome based on luck rather than performance.
On the other hand, Baldwin advocated for implementing multiple tire options at every track, believing it enhances the racing experience. In a preview of the latest podcast episode, Kraft admitted he got “a little fired up” during the discussion. He explained his concerns about the championship race, stating that while switching exclusively to softer tires would improve the racing, it wouldn’t match the level of competition seen last weekend with multiple compounds.
Meanwhile, NASCAR has been testing softer tire compounds for the Phoenix championship race. Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon, and Josh Berry participated in a tire test on Monday as officials explore this option.
Bubba Wallace’s Phoenix Race Ends in Mechanical Failure
Wallace’s race at Phoenix ended prematurely due to a brake rotor failure while he was competing for a top-10 finish. His #23 Toyota suffered a mechanical issue in the final stage, causing him to crash into the outside wall.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Wallace explained that he had no warning signs before the brakes suddenly gave out. He noticed some slight pedal travel a few laps before the failure but couldn’t prevent the issue. He ultimately finished 29th and currently sits 12th in the standings after four races.
Wallace and the #23 team will look to rebound this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Pennzoil 400 on March 16.
