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Freddie Kraft Uses Historic Charlotte Wreck Reference to Claim Chase Elliott Could Have Killed Denny Hamlin

Published 06/01/2023, 3:30 PM EDT

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It is not only the speed along with the turns that appeal the most to NASCAR enthusiasts. It is also the wrecks that receive the loudest cheers from the fans. It may seem weird to fans from other fields of sport, but that is just a fact. People often get dejected when a wreck or collision doesn’t occur on the track. A case in point being the All-Stars-Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

The zero-point race of the season was the most inert race that fans could ever wish for. However, the longest race of the season the Coca-Cola 600 was more captivating than what fans could have imagined. The wreck between Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin drew the most attention.

But what people seemed to have forgotten that the fatality of the wreck, and the imminent danger it possessed. The mangled car remains as testimony to the amount of impact that Hamlin and his car faced. And this calamity was amplified by the veteran spotter Freddie Kraft.

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Freddie Kraft emphasizes the gravity of the crash between Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin

In the latest episode of Door Bumper Clear, while talking to his co-hosts and fellow spotters Brett Griffin and TJ Majors, Bubba Wallace‘s spotter Freddie Kraft drew the instance of a tragic wreck from back in the day. 

He expressed his grave concerns, “Listen I said it […] It’s completely unacceptable to ever do that. That’s not something you could ever do. My guy, right or wrong, you cannot. It’s unacceptable you can’t do that, you cannot react that way, you cannot overreact that way. Listen, thank God for the safety improvements we had since 2001 because that was the exact same wreck that killed Blaise Alexander.

“That was the same spot, the same thing came across, I think it was the 2 car maybe, and back then but like same exact spot, hook … I don’t know if that was intentional back then but same kind…”

To this Kraft’s co-host asserted, “No, it was not intentional.”

Kraft also added, “That was a head-on shot I’ve seen some of the pictures of the cockpit of Denny’s car, the steering wheel looks like it’s turned inside out that was an unbelievable bad angle to hit at.”

TJ Majors also added, “It amazes me that he gets hit in the right recorder panel and I think he had his hands off the wheel before he hit.”

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The fatal wreck with which Freddie Kraft drew the comparison

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The historic wreck that Freddie Kraft had brought forth was indeed tragic. Not all may remember, but the incident occurred back in 2001, between Blaise Alexander and Kerry Earnhardt, elder half-brother of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Both Kerry Earnhardt and Blaise Alexander were trying to outdo each other in the ARCA EasyCare 100.

While Earnhardt was reading the pack, however in pursuit of him, Blaise in high momentum tried to pass ahead of Earnhardt. However, to everybody’s horror, both the cars made contact, which sent Blaise Alexander reeling on the track and hitting the outside wall. While Earnhardt came out of his upside-down car unscathed, it was Alexander Blaise who was unconscious before being pronounced dead.

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This does prove the fact that safety is of utmost importance. Though the safety regulations in NASCAR have developed since then, the incident at Charlotte Motor Speedway affirms the fact drivers have to be mindful of how they tackle their competitors. With a suspension in the hand of Chase Elliott, the governing made sure they set proper precedence that it should not be reiterated in the future.

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Written by:

Ayantika Maitra

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Ayantika Maitra is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. It was initially Formula 1 that made her fall in love with the world of motorsports. But quickly, the raw and unfiltered nature of NASCAR is what led her to build an affinity for the Stock Car Racing Series.
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Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal