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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The 2024 silly season is coming to an end. Teams have been readying their driver and crew rosters with only a month left to the NASCAR kickoff. One of the teams that has found it easier to stay together for another year is 23XI Racing. The Denny Hamlin-owned team experienced a successful year after both of its drivers made it to the playoffs. 2023 was specifically rewarding for playoff debutant Bubba Wallace.

Bubba didn’t just finish in the top 16 for the first time; he went deeper until he was eventually ousted in the Round of 12. Watching Bubba Wallace’s success from the trackside was his beloved spotter, Freddie Kraft. Kraft has spotted for the Alabama-based driver since he was 17 and has continued to stay by his side through thick and thin. However, Kraft’s recent post hinted at a possible change in plans as Bubba responded with a disappointed GIF on Twitter.

Freddie Kraft hints at a new contract deal in recent social media update

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Bubba Wallace and Freddie Kraft have a wholesome relationship. The 23XI Racing social media account often shares glimpses of the two having healthy banter or sharing a hearty laugh over something hilarious. Having been together for a long time, being good friends on and off the track is only natural. But despite that, could Freddie be leaving Bubba’s side after all these years? Kraft’s recent X post stirred the pot as the long-time spotter hinted at a new signing.

Yesterday, Kraft posted, “Good start to the new year…” with an emoji resembling a crayon at the end. Popular personalities have often used such emojis to announce a contract extension or sign a new contract with an organization. The unclear message puzzled fans and Bubba Wallace alike. Bubba replied with a GIF of famous Hollywood actor Denzel Washington smashing the table in disappointment with his fists.

However, Freddie Kraft cleared the air around it with another veiled response as he wrote, “Don’t worry. This only refers to Xfinity and Trucks. My tattoo is still in play.”

Aside from Bubba Wallace, the NASCAR fandom also began taking guesses at what the tweet meant. While some guessed that it might be an announcement about his presence on Door Bumper Clear, others wondered if it was Freddie Kraft changing teams.

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Off-season moves incite the NASCAR fandom’s curiosity in an instant. The possibility of seeing drivers and crew members in a new environment is exciting. Following the same pattern, one of the fans questioned if Kraft was staying with Bubba Wallace or if an Xfinity Series move was on the cards, as he wrote, “Bubba gonna keep ya? Xfinity?”

Another fan hinted that Freddie could be a part of the Spire Motorsports project, which has been making waves in the NASCAR community. He tweeted, “Hope you’re making some of them Spire like dollars now. Happy New Year!”

A certain fan thought of doodling when he saw the crayon emoji. Asking Freddie if that’s the profession he’ll be pursuing, he wrote that it also pays a decent amount. “Doodling pays off, or so I’ve heard,” he wrote.

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The comment section was filled with sarcastic jokes about the crayon emoji as it was the point of curiosity for the fans. One of the comments signaled at ease of cancellation if a contract is signed with a crayon. It read, “If you sign in crayon, does that make it easier to get out of the contract?”

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The conversation seems like another edition of some healthy banter between Bubba Wallace and his spotter. It doesn’t make much sense if Kraft leaves Bubba after having their most successful season together.

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