Stewart Friesen has announced his intent to race for Halmar Friesen Racing in the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, confirming his comeback in a Thursday interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This marks Friesen’s return to the Stewart Friesen NASCAR Truck Series spotlight after a severe injury in July 2025 during a dirt modified race in Quebec left him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The Crash and Friesen’s Road to Recovery
In July 2025, Friesen’s promising season was cut short when his No. 44 car flipped and caught fire in a Super DIRTcar Series event in Quebec, Canada. The crash resulted in a fractured pelvis and right leg, as well as additional injuries including a fractured C7 vertebra and a broken left hip. Friesen’s absence forced Halmar Friesen Racing to tap Cup Series regular Christopher Bell for a fill-in appearance at Watkins Glen International. Kaden Honeycutt then stepped in for the remainder of the year and notably helped the No. 52 enter the Championship 4.
In December, Friesen shared a video on social media, showing his first unaided steps since the crash, detailing his progress in rehabbing both legs, pelvis, and spine as he worked toward a return to racing action.
Rigorous Preparation for the 2026 Season
Speaking on SiriusXM’s The Morning Drive, Friesen described steady strides in his recovery, highlighted by extensive simulator sessions at Toyota Racing Development in Salisbury, North Carolina. He elaborated on daily workouts and sustained physical therapy with the goal of competing in Daytona as the new season begins in just over a month.
“I feel great. I’ve done some sim over at TRD in Salisbury, (North Carolina) a few times. I had another session yesterday morning that went really well and really, really looking forward to getting back into action and getting back to normal and getting rolling here to start the season.”
– Stewart Friesen, Driver, Halmar Friesen Racing
His time off the track provided a window to consider safety improvements for his own dirt modified cars. Despite these reflections, the Canadian driver, now 42, remains driven to compete.
“It’s been a long process, but at the end of the day, I’m a racer. It’s what I love to do,”
Friesen said.
“I’ve wanted to do this since I was probably 8, 9 years old, growing up around a race track and then racing my whole life. It’s just something that we do, and I don’t think I could go through life the same way not being in the seat or not wanting to be in the seat. I feel like I’ve still got a couple more decent years in my prime left before I gotta hang up the Simpsons (seat belts). But right now, that’s the goal — get back to what I love to do and what our family does and go back racing.”
– Stewart Friesen, Driver, Halmar Friesen Racing
Team Developments and Future Racing Plans
Friesen has outlined his intention to participate in dirt modified events at All-Tech Raceway and Volusia Speedway Park in early February before returning to his main ride. However, he indicated that his previous schedule of 50 to 60 dirt races each year may be reduced in 2026, given the intensity of his recovery and the physical demands of racing at the top level.
Beyond the No. 52 truck, Halmar Friesen Racing will also be running a full-season campaign with the No. 62 Toyota, fielding multiple drivers across the 25-race calendar.
No. 52 Truck Achieves Best Owner Points Finish Under Substitute Drivers
With Friesen recovering, Kaden Honeycutt took over the No. 52 for much of the 2025 campaign. Honeycutt’s enthusiasm and skill helped the team reach third in the owner points standings—their strongest performance since 2018.
“What a great race car driver and great person, first off,”
Friesen said.
“Young racer, super passionate about racing. I mean, you see him run almost every division he could at the Snowball Derby. Comes from a dirt-racing background in East Texas. And I think the Toyota guys made a really, really good pick in Kaden to jump in and replace Corey (Heim, defending series champion) in the 11 truck over at Tricon. …”
– Stewart Friesen, Driver, Halmar Friesen Racing
“It was cool for him to jump in my seat and work with him. I was logged into every sim session that he did, and all the races, obviously listening on the radio, and just a great race-car driver. And it really helped our team to develop and make a championship push. That was awesome. That was all we could ask for. He did a great job and got us another, maybe, rung up the ladder with the building of this race team.”
– Stewart Friesen, Driver, Halmar Friesen Racing
What Lies Ahead for Stewart Friesen and HFR
The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will launch with the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, with Friesen and his team set on building upon last season’s achievements. With motivation from his recovery and strong contributions from substitute drivers like Honeycutt, Friesen aims to guide the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota back into championship contention.
The racing community will be watching closely as Stewart Friesen makes his highly anticipated return, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for both experienced veterans and rising talents in the NASCAR Truck Series.
Big day, we have a walking driver! 🚶 pic.twitter.com/khmmO8Prdu
— Stewart Friesen (@StewartFriesen) December 5, 2025
