They say that NASCAR is full of speed, drama, and a whole lot of conspiracy theories. Over the years, fans have spun some wild ones. From Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s mysterious fuel mileage wins to the infamous “phantom debris cautions” that just shook up races. Then there was Spingate in 2013, when Michael Waltrip Racing was caught manipulating a finish at Richmond, an actual scandal that only deepened the paranoia.

So, when a late-race caution at Darlington involving Bubba Wallace helped Denny Hamlin cruise to victory, the internet did what it does best. Connected all the dots. What followed wasn’t just fan gossip. It was a full-on theory that blew up podcasts, threads, and timelines. Recently, on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Bubba’s spotter, Freddie Kraft, decided to have some fun with it.

Freddie Kraft’s playful jab at Darlington-Bubba Wallace conspiracy theories

Freddie Kraft, Bubba Wallace’s spotter, couldn’t resist poking fun at the swirling conspiracy theories after the 2025 Darlington race. With a tongue-in-cheek tone, he quipped, “I was like, ‘How can I get Denny the win in this f—- race?'” This jest came in response to allegations that 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace’s late-race incident this Sunday was a deliberate move to aid his 23XI co-owner and fellow racer, Denny Hamlin.

The controversy ignited when, with just four laps remaining, Bubba Wallace spun Kyle Larson. This brought out a caution that eventually altered the race’s outcome. At the time of the incident, Ryan Blaney had overtaken Tyler Reddick for the lead after a hard-fought battle. He looked poised for victory. This would have been Ryan Blaney’s first-ever victory at the egg-shaped oval. However, the caution allowed Denny Hamlin’s crew to execute a swift pit stop in 9.42 seconds, propelling him from third to first for the overtime restart. Blaney was left heartbroken!

Kraft continued his facetious narrative, stating, “I said, Bubba, just let Kyle go and then hit him as hard as you can.” He humorously suggested that this orchestrated move was designed to secure a win for Hamlin. Larson, who was 167 laps down, had just passed Wallace and he abruptly slowed down near Turn 2 as he spotted Tyler Reddick in the wall. However, Bubba Wallace couldn’t react swiftly to this sudden move and ended up shoving Larson from behind. The result? Kyle Larson spun exiting Turn 2 and hit the inside wall. A move that stemmed from Larson’s error ended up throwing the spotlight onto Bubba Wallace.

Wallace finished 21st, while Larson ended up 37th with a DNF. Freddie Kraft concluded his sarcastic jab, stating, “I’m sure Denny’s gonna send me a bonus check for this.” However, in reality, the incident was a typical racing mishap. And not a well-orchestrated scheme to deny Blaney (or other drivers) a Darlington win. Hamlin’s victory was more a testament to his team’s strategic prowess during pit stops than any orchestrated interference.

This was even proven when the radio conversation revealed Larson saying, “I was checking up, so that’s embarrassing.” Analytical data of the car after the race also showed that at Turn 2, Larson slowed down earlier than he did in the previous lap, causing Wallace to slam into him. Larson’s potter, Cliff Daniels also admitted after the race as per NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck, “They [#5 team] were trying to stay out of the way of the leaders and stay low, and Larson checked up early to make sure he didn’t get into Reddick, but Bubba didn’t know Larson was going to slow down that much.”

Kraft’s sarcastic commentary serves as a reminder of the humor often employed within the NASCAR community to address controversies. While fans may indulge in conspiracy theories, those within the sport often prefer to tackle such narratives with wit and jest.

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Michael Jordan reacts to Wallace’s Darlington incident

Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Denny Hamlin, naturally had a front-row seat to the drama that unfolded at the 2025 Goodyear 400. As Wallace’s team owner Hamlin celebrated victory, questions swirled about how it all happened. Jordan, caught in the whirlwind of speculation, had an unexpected run-in with Ryan Blaney on pit road.

Michael Jordan walked down the pit lane and gave Blaney a pat on his back, and the pair shook hands. “Almost,” MJ said, succinctly summarizing Blaney’s heartbreak. It was a rare interaction. Jordan acknowledged not one of his drivers, but a Penske star who looked destined for victory before the caution. However, Blaney didn’t let the moment pass quietly. With a wry smile and a hint of mischief, he fired back. “Hey, if your boy didn’t spin out Larson…”—a comment that instantly cracked the tension and drew a laugh from MJ. MJ, while taken aback slightly, replied, “Did he spin out Larson? I couldn’t tell.”

The exchange quickly made the rounds online, adding fuel to the fire. Fans, already frustrated by Wallace’s timing and the chain reaction it caused, pointed fingers at 23XI. Calling a suspension for Wallace, fans are sure that it was race manipulation at its finest by Bubba for Hamlin to win, orchestrated by the 23XI team.

While conspiracy theories spread like wildfire online, it’s worth noting that Wallace was visibly upset with Larson checking him up like that. Jeff Gluck reported Wallace’s emotions after the race on X, writing, “Bubba Wallace told me he didn’t think it was warranted for Larson to check up as much as he did after Reddick hit the wall but apologized for ruining Blaney’s day.” 

Still, Jordan’s calm denial, Larson’s admission, Wallace’s apologetic radio chatter, and Blaney’s cheeky jab – it all makes for one complicated storyline. As the series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway next, the Darlington drama is far from over. Will Wallace bounce back? Will Blaney get redemption? As for Hamlin, his focus will be on getting one step closer to 60 wins by the end of the season. Who do you think will prevail in Bristol next week? Let us know in the comments!