Kaden Honeycutt is set to make his third start for a different team in as many weeks in a dramatic series of NASCAR Truck Series driver changes, as he joins Halmar Friesen Racing for the Richmond International Raceway event, with the Playoff push reaching its climax this Friday night. Honeycutt, currently ranked ninth in the Playoff standings, is aiming to secure his position among the top 10 drivers as the regular season comes to an end.
Honeycutt’s Path to Multiple Teams in Playoff Hunt
Just weeks ago, Honeycutt was a full-time driver for Niece Motorsports, piloting the No. 45 Chevrolet. A swift change occurred after the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park event, when Honeycutt notified Niece that he had committed to another team, believed to be Tricon Garage’s No. 11 Toyota. This disclosure led to an immediate split, leaving Honeycutt without a regular seat in the Truck Series lineup.
To ensure he kept collecting Playoff points, Honeycutt secured a last-minute deal with Young’s Motorsports, which allowed him to compete last week at Watkins Glen in their No. 02 Chevrolet. His ability to remain active in races helped him stay in Playoff contention as the cutoff approaches. The move to Halmar Friesen Racing marks his third different ride in the same number of races, a rare occurrence in the series and a testament to his determination to stay in the championship fight.
“This Friday night at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Kaden Honeycutt will make his third start for a third different team in as many races.”
—NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series source
Richmond represents the final race of the regular season, with only the top 10 drivers securing places in the Playoffs following the checkered flag. Honeycutt’s recent shuffling between teams was crucial for maintaining his Playoff hopes.
“My plan is to continue to contend for race wins and position myself to make the playoffs this season,”
—Kaden Honeycutt, Driver
Friesen’s Injury Opens the Door
The opportunity with Halmar Friesen Racing arose due to Stewart Friesen’s recent season-altering crash. After qualifying for the Playoffs with a win at Michigan International Speedway in June, Friesen suffered significant injuries—a fractured pelvis and two right leg breaks—during a modified race in Quebec, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. These injuries forced him to relinquish the No. 52 truck for the rest of the 2025 season.
Recognizing Honeycutt’s place in the top 10 of the standings and his competitiveness as the reigning Car Tour Pro Late Model Champion and Snowball Derby winner, Halmar Friesen Racing announced on August 5 that Honeycutt would take over driving duties for the No. 52 Toyota.
Expectations for the Remainder of the Season
Stewart Friesen emphasized the need to keep his team competitive in his absence.
“While I continue to recover, it was important for us to put someone in our truck that can help us compete at the highest level,”
—Stewart Friesen, Driver
He expressed confidence that the decision to bring Honeycutt on board would help maintain the team’s pursuit of the owner’s championship.
“I know Kaden will deliver strong performance in our truck and allow us to continue to run for the owner’s championship.”
—Stewart Friesen, Driver
Honeycutt addressed the responsibility, stating his commitment to seizing the opportunity and supporting the team’s bid for honors.
“It’s an honor to be able to fill in for Stewart for the rest of the season and help give his team a chance at the owner’s championship, which they earned,”
—Kaden Honeycutt, Driver
With his Playoff eligibility under evaluation due to the recent team changes, Honeycutt remains focused. He added,
“We are going to work hard to have a solid final eight races of the season and continue to deliver great results for Stewart, his family and this organization.”
—Kaden Honeycutt, Driver
As the field heads into Richmond, all eyes will be on Honeycutt and Halmar Friesen Racing to see if these rapid shifts pay off, both in the fight for a Playoff spot and the quest for the owner’s championship. The coming races will determine how well this bold series of NASCAR Truck Series driver changes positions Honeycutt, Friesen, and the organization in a season where adaptability and resilience have proven vital.
