LONG POND, Pa. – Entering Saturday afternoon’s Gander RV 150 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Stewart Friesen had delivered five straight top-five finishes, but his third trip to the “Tricky Triangle” was over before it even started.
Looking for his first career NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) win, Friesen made a bold move entering Turn 1 at the start of the race – but as he exited the corner, his No. 52 Halmar Chevrolet Silverado broke loose and slid into the No. 15 of Anthony Alfredo before slamming the outside wall in Turn 2.
Sustaining significant damage to his machine, Friesen was unable to re-fire his truck and return it to pit road for potential repairs. The Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario native climbed from his truck where he was quickly evaluated and released from the infield care center.
After digesting what occurred, a dejected Friesen spoke about the accident.
“I don’t know,” offered Friesen on his initial reaction on how the spin started. “Just got spun there and made contact with the wall. Just a bummer. I had a lot of friends and family here today and just really, really disappointed.
“I wish I could have done more. It sucks for all the people that came down to support us and be here for us. Thanks to Halmar for everything they do for us, Team Chevy and all that stuff. We’ll be back, it just sucks right now.”
The 36-year-old Friesen will try to bounce back next Thursday night at Eldora Speedway for the highly anticipated Eldora Dirt Derby. For the last several years, Friesen has become one of the pre-race favorites to contend for the win at the Ohio dirt track.
“We’re bringing a lot of confidence for sure,” added Friesen of his Eldora outlook. “Tripp (Bruce, crew chief) is very optimistic. I usually am too, but not right now, it’s going to take a couple hours.”
Despite having the second most Gander Truck points, Friesen found himself on the cusp of being evicted from the Playoff picture as several drivers behind him in points have wins and have shuffled the Playoff grid.
With his third did not finish of the season, Friesen has two more opportunities to get to Victory Lane at Eldora and Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 10 or hope that miraculously he slides into the Gander Truck Series postseason on points and contend for the championship.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
