Stewart Friesen is officially poised for a comeback in the NASCAR Truck Series, following an extended recovery from serious injuries sustained in July. The veteran driver revealed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he will pilot the No. 52 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar Friesen Racing when the season launches at Daytona in February, energizing anticipation for his Stewart Friesen Truck Series return.
Friesen’s Setback and Road to Recovery
Friesen’s 2025 season was halted after a severe wreck during a Super DIRTcar Series event at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec, where he suffered both a fractured pelvis and leg. The injuries forced the 42-year-old to sit out the final nine Truck Series races, as Kaden Honeycutt took over and helped the Halmar Friesen Racing team reach the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway.
Friesen described his healing journey with focus and optimism.
“The last month I’ve been making some leaps and bounds; no more crutches, no more canes, I’m walking pretty normal and trying to work out as much as I can, still doing a lot of physical therapy and anticipating a return at Daytona in just over a month.”
— Stewart Friesen, Driver
Current Condition Fuels Season Aspirations
Heading into the 2026 season, Friesen emphasized his improving health and readiness to return.
“I’ve done some sim over at [Toyota Racing Development] in Salisbury a few times, had another session yesterday morning that went really well, and I’m really looking forward to getting back into action and getting back to normal and getting rolling here to start the season.”
— Stewart Friesen, Driver
Before the accident, Friesen had secured a spot in the playoffs after a win at Michigan International Speedway in June, and he hopes to build on the performance momentum that his team maintained late into 2025. Since joining the Truck Series full-time with Halmar Friesen Racing in 2017, he has amassed 200 starts, four victories, and 91 top-10 finishes, establishing a consistent and competitive presence.
Considerations About Friesen’s Future in Racing
Although Friesen’s focus currently rests on his Stewart Friesen Truck Series return, he addressed the possibility of stepping away from full-time competition. In a September conversation with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, he admitted to weighing future career decisions.
“That’s…that’s, yeah. That’s something that’s crossed my mind,”
— Stewart Friesen, Driver. He added,
“But I don’t know yet. We’ll see how I feel in a month, two months, whatever. Try not to think about that too much.”
— Stewart Friesen, Driver
What Friesen’s Comeback Means for the Team and the Series
Stewart Friesen’s return injects new energy into Halmar Friesen Racing and the entire NASCAR Truck Series. As the No. 52 team aims to capitalize on its play-off qualification and adapt to the competitive field, all eyes will be on Friesen’s performance at Daytona and throughout the season. His journey from injury to recovery highlights the resilience required at the highest levels of motorsport, while leaving open questions about the duration and legacy of his racing career.
