There was no scarcity of controversy at Daytona this previous weekend as ‘s prime circuits all competed within the first occasion of 2026. However one longtime NASCAR spotter took a number of concern with who was allowed to compete. One of many targets was fan-favorite Natalie Decker.
On Monday’s episode of his Door Bumper Clear present, spotter Freddie Kraft went off on two drivers who competed at Daytona: Decker and YouTuber-turned-driver Cleetus McFarland.
Commercial
For McFarland, Kraft mentioned that he merely hadn’t achieved sufficient to earn his spot within the Truck Collection subject. He believes that McFarland, who completed final within the race after an early crash, put your entire subject at race by collaborating.
“That is gonna be very unpopular, and I’m sorry, however what are we doing? Are we making an attempt to get the most effective racecar drivers on the racetrack, or are we making an attempt to get the most important social media following?” Kraft mentioned. “There have been two obtrusive examples this weekend: one was Cleetus, clearly, within the Truck race. What has he achieved? For me, I get it, there’s a system in place that you must run sure races to get authorised for different races. The system shouldn’t be based mostly on participation; it must be based mostly on outcomes. This man ran two plate races final 12 months, wrecked in each of them, wrecked half the sector in considered one of them making an attempt to do a restart.
“We’re simply fortunate the opposite evening that he didn’t wipe out the Truck subject as a result of when he spun, he went down as a substitute of up and he was operating within the prime 10 when it occurred. … It was simply dumb luck that he didn’t wipe out half the sector. We speak about security — I’m certain he’s an excellent man, he looks as if an outstanding individual, he’s obtained nice automobile management within the movies I watch, he drives something on the planet — he’s not prepared for what he’s doing. So, you’ll be able to’t approve these individuals to go on the market.”
Commercial
Kraft on Decker
As for Decker, Kraft felt that her historical past of poor finishes and wrecks additionally ought to have disqualified her from collaborating within the notoriously powerful racetrack.
“Natalie Decker, one other one. To begin with, how did she ever get authorised? She’s run 13 races and averaged a Twenty ninth-place end, piling within the wrecks on prime of that,” Kraft mentioned. “Like, at what level do you look and say, ‘Alright, we made a mistake approving this individual, now we have to take it again.’ … I wish to make it clear, it’s not Cleetus’s fault; it’s NASCAR’s fault for letting him race. … The system is damaged.”
Commercial
However Kraft additionally made it clear that he does not totally blame McFarland and Decker. He places the majority of blame on NASCAR itself for deciding to approve them once they’re not prepared.
Aug 25, 2023; Daytona Seashore, Florida, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Collection driver Natalie Decker (53) on pit highway previous to the NASCAR Xfinity Collection Wawa 250 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports activities© David Yeazell-Imagn Photos&interval;
(© David Yeazell-Imagn Photos&interval;)
Decker has expertise racing within the O’Reilly Auto Components Collection. Her race at Daytona marked her 14th within the circuit and he or she even completed 18th within the Daytona Race two years in the past. Nonetheless, that was the very best end in a race of her complete profession on the circuit.
Will we see Decker compete in Daytona sooner or later?
This story was initially revealed by on Feb 17, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add The Spun as a
