Stewart Friesen’s 2025 season has been thrown into uncertainty following a devastating crash that left him with serious injuries. The veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, already in playoff contention, is now sidelined indefinitely with a broken pelvis and leg requiring multiple surgeries. The incident at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec has shaken the dirt racing community and sparked an immediate online frenzy over who might step into his Halmar Friesen Racing No. 52 Toyota Tundra while he recovers.
Key Highlights
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Stewart Friesen suffered a violent crash in a dirt modified race at Autodrome Drummond, sustaining serious pelvic and leg injuries.
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The Canadian-born driver remains in stable condition but faces multiple surgeries in New York as recovery begins.
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Friesen was 13th in Truck Series standings with one win, six top 10s, and three top-five finishes before the accident.
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NASCAR fans flooded social media with speculation and fantasy picks for a potential replacement in the No. 52 truck.
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The crash leaves Halmar Friesen Racing scrambling for a driver ahead of the Truck Series playoffs starting August 30 at Darlington.
A Critical Injury During Dirt Racing Leaves Friesen Sidetracked
Friesen’s weekend turned tragic during a Super DIRTcar Series event in Quebec. Mid-race, his No. 44 machine launched over the dirt berm in a three-wide battle entering Turn 3, flipped violently, slammed the retaining wall, and ignited in flames before sliding back onto the track. Another car struck the wreck before emergency crews reached him. Despite the violent nature of the crash, Friesen remained conscious and was able to communicate with safety workers as they extracted him from the wreckage.
Jessica Friesen, Stewart’s wife, delivered a sobering update on his condition via social media:
“Stewart continues to be in serious but stable condition here at a hospital in Quebec. He will be transferred to a hospital in New York tomorrow, where multiple surgeries will take place in the coming days. We want to thank everyone here at the hospital in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, for the outstanding care, and several members of the racing community who have helped facilitate getting Stewart closer to home. The outpouring of support from all of our racing family has been overwhelming in the best way. Thank you for all of your outreach and encouragement as we continue to work through the next steps in Stewart’s recovery.” – Jessica Friesen
Update from Jessica Friesen. pic.twitter.com/r87lsjGcm1
— Stewart Friesen (@StewartFriesen) July 29, 2025
No head, neck, or spinal damage was reported, but the broken pelvis and leg injuries are severe enough to end any chance of racing in the immediate future. This creates a major challenge for Halmar Friesen Racing as the playoff cutoff looms.
Impact on Playoff Hopes
Friesen entered the Craftsman Truck Series full-time in 2018 and has built a consistent reputation as a hard-nosed racer capable of winning on various tracks. This season, he captured a victory at Michigan International Speedway, locking himself into playoff contention with one win, three top-five results, and six top-10 finishes in 16 starts. He currently sits around 13th in the standings, but his absence raises questions about how the team can maintain competitiveness without its lead driver.
With only a handful of regular-season races left before the playoffs begin at Darlington Raceway on August 30, Halmar Friesen Racing faces immediate decisions on who will pilot the No. 52 truck. NASCAR rules allow substitute drivers to keep a team eligible for playoffs as long as the entry itself remains competitive, but the driver switch complicates their chances of advancing deep into the postseason.
Fans Speculate on Potential Replacements
As word of Friesen’s injuries spread, NASCAR fans on social media turned their concern into speculation. Within hours, message boards and Reddit threads filled with suggestions, both serious and humorous, for who should temporarily step into the seat.
Some nostalgic names surfaced in the conversation. One fan joked:
“Mark Martin has a lot to say. But he could still wheel it like the old days.” – Fan reaction
Another offered a tongue-in-cheek throwback:
“I heard that Tony Stewart is available.” – Fan reaction
Other fans took a more pragmatic approach, mentioning experienced drivers who could deliver solid results on short notice.
“Kasey Kahne can’t physically handle the length of cup races more. Truck lengths should be fine. He also has a phenomenal truck win %. They should call him.” – Fan reaction
Open-wheel veteran Katherine Legge was also tossed into the mix by one fan seeking a left-field choice, while others focused on current NASCAR talent like Anthony Alfredo or Parker Kligerman as realistic options.
Not all the commentary was complimentary, with one post taking a jab at another driver’s reputation:
“Kris Wright looking to bankrupt another team.” – Fan reaction
Despite the humor, the underlying tone across discussions was one of support for Friesen, with many fans tagging their posts with “Get well soon, Stewie,” showing solidarity with the injured driver.
What’s Next for Halmar Friesen Racing
Finding a suitable substitute will be the team’s immediate priority. With the playoffs approaching and the No. 52 truck already locked in by virtue of Friesen’s Michigan win, Halmar Friesen Racing must balance competitiveness with continuity. Potential fill-in candidates will likely be experienced Truck Series veterans or available part-time drivers with solid records on intermediate and short tracks.
Friesen’s timeline for recovery remains unclear, but multiple surgeries indicate a long road ahead. If his rehab stretches into late fall, he could miss not just the remainder of the Truck Series season but possibly offseason test sessions leading into 2026. The team’s long-term plans for next season may also be affected if Friesen’s recovery extends further than anticipated.
In the meantime, the NASCAR community continues to rally around the veteran driver. Messages of support from fans, fellow drivers, and teams have poured in across social media, reinforcing Friesen’s popularity as both a racer and a person.
News in Brief: Fans’ React on Stewart Friesen Injury Update
Stewart Friesen’s season has been abruptly halted after a violent dirt racing crash in Quebec left him with a broken pelvis and leg injuries requiring multiple surgeries. He remains in stable condition and will be transferred to New York for ongoing treatment. Friesen’s absence leaves Halmar Friesen Racing scrambling to name a substitute for the No. 52 truck, already in playoff contention after a Michigan win. Fans have flooded social media with support and speculation on possible replacements. Sending best wishes to Stewart Friesen as he begins his recovery journey.
ALSO READ: NASCAR 2025 Michigan Race Highlights: Stewart Friesen Breaks Through for Emotional Win
