Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Criticizes Costly Martin Truex Jr Mistake in New Hampshire

Martin Truex Jr. was having an incredible race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, leading the first two stages in a very dominating fashion. However, the #19 team for Joe Gibbs Racing pitted during the stage 2 break, losing the lead. Unfortunately, Truex Jr. couldn’t make up for the lost position, despite dominating the Qualifying and most of the race.

Seeing this, Bubba Wallace’s spotter, Freddie Kraft didn’t shy away from criticizing the move. Kraft thinks they could have saved themselves.

Speaking on an episode of D0or, Bumper Clear, he talked about the bad pit call. He said, “This was just a costly mistake on their part. They clearly had the best car, all day long.”

“They put two tires on, then they got a bad restart and kinda give some other guys position.”

He added, “At the very end, he was fast again. But, by then everybody’s tires had equaled out”

Moreover, he thinks that’s the reason Bubba Wallace managed a P3 finish.

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Kraft said, “That was one of the biggest things that helped us. We were running about 10th, and we took four [tires]. And we drive up to fourth or fifth, and a couple of drivers pit for fuel. That’s how we got in front.”

Freddie Kraft Thinks Martin Truex Jr. Picked Back Up, But It Was Too Late

Martin Truex Jr.’s bad pit call made way for Chase Elliott to pick positions. However, the older tires on the #9 turned out to be a disadvantage for the 2020 Cup Series Champion. And Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell took his first-ever win this season. Yet, Kraft thinks the #19 could have won, but it was too late.

He said, “At the end of the race, they were just as good or better than us. The #19, especially on the last couple of laps were running us down. But it’s just too late by the time tires equalize, he was half a lap behind Chase [Elliott].”

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A very unfortunate end to a stellar weekend for the 2017 Cup Series Champion. But do you think Martin Truex Jr. deserved to win? Or did Christopher Bell do a great job at capitalizing on the opportunity? Let us know in the comments.