Halmar Friesen Racing Overview
Halmar Friesen Racing is an American professional stock car and dirt track racing team headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina. Founded in 2016, the team competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, fielding the No. 52 Toyota Tundra for driver Stewart Friesen and the No. 62 Toyota for multiple drivers. The organization has established itself as a consistent competitor in the Truck Series, known for its expertise on both dirt and paved tracks. The team is co-owned by Chris Larsen and Stewart Friesen, and maintains a technical alliance with Kyle Busch Motorsports. The team has achieved five career race victories and three pole positions across 226 races competed since its debut.
The organization also fields modified racing cars for several drivers throughout the Northeastern United States, including for Stewart Friesen and his wife Jessica Friesen. This dual focus on NASCAR competition and grassroots dirt track racing defines the team’s identity and operational philosophy. Halmar Friesen Racing has grown steadily since its inception, evolving from a part-time operation into a full-time contender in one of NASCAR’s national series.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Halmar Friesen Racing was established in 2016 when Stewart Friesen, a accomplished dirt track racer from the Northeast, decided to expand his racing program into NASCAR competition. The team made its debut at the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway, utilizing a truck body from Kyle Busch Motorsports and an engine from Richard Childress Racing. This partnership with established NASCAR organizations provided the fledgling team with technical expertise and resources essential for competing at the national level.
For its inaugural season, the team operated on a part-time basis, entering short track races with Friesen as the driver. The decision to focus initially on part-time competition allowed the organization to learn the intricacies of NASCAR racing while building infrastructure and relationships within the sport. Friesen’s dirt track credentials and competitive nature positioned the team as an intriguing prospect for fans and industry observers alike.
In 2017, Halmar Friesen Racing announced plans to run the full Truck Series schedule. The organization hired Tommy Baldwin Jr., owner of Tommy Baldwin Racing, to serve as team manager, bringing Cup Series-level management experience to the operation. This hire signaled the team’s ambitions to establish itself as a permanent fixture in the Truck Series paddock.
Growth Into NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Competition
Following the 2017 season opener, the team underwent significant organizational changes that would shape its future trajectory. In August 2017, Halmar Friesen Racing announced the end of its partnership with Tommy Baldwin Jr. and the beginning of a new technical alliance with GMS Racing. The same day, the team announced that Trip Bruce, a longtime NASCAR crew chief and Baldwin’s brother-in-law, would take over day-to-day operations of the organization. Bruce would serve as Stewart Friesen’s crew chief from 2018 through 2021 before transitioning to the role of Director of Competition in 2022.
The alliance with GMS Racing provided Halmar Friesen Racing with technical support and resources that elevated the team’s competitive standing. So close was the relationship that GMS driver Johnny Sauter referenced Friesen as a teammate during the 2018 season. This collaboration helped the team advance to the playoffs and achieve a seventh-place finish in the final points standings after being eliminated in the Round of 8.
A pivotal moment came on December 3, 2019, when the team announced it would switch from Chevrolet to Toyota beginning in 2020, establishing a technical alliance with Kyle Busch Motorsports. This manufacturer change marked a new chapter for the organization and aligned it with one of the most successful programs in Truck Series history. The partnership with Kyle Busch Motorsports has continued to provide technical advantages and development opportunities for the team.
Halmar Friesen Racing Competitive Journey
Since its debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2016, Halmar Friesen Racing has evolved from a part-time entrant into a full-time competitive operation. The team has competed in 226 races, earning five victories and three pole positions while developing a reputation for strong performances on dirt tracks. The organization’s journey reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and building sustainable competitive programs across multiple racing disciplines.
Early Seasons and Development (2016–2017)
The team’s inaugural season in 2016 established the foundation for future growth. Operating part-time, Friesen gained valuable experience navigating the challenges of NASCAR competition while the organization built its operational capabilities. The decision to compete at Eldora Speedway, a track well-suited to Friesen’s dirt track background, demonstrated the team’s strategic approach to entering the sport.
The 2017 season marked the team’s transition to a more competitive operation. Friesen captured the pole position for the Eldora Dirt Derby and finished second to Matt Crafton in the race after leading over half of the laps. This breakthrough performance highlighted the team’s potential and validated the investment in expanded operations. The strong result at Eldora demonstrated that Halmar Friesen Racing could compete with the series’ established teams.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2018–2019)
The 2018 season represented a significant step forward for the organization. With the technical alliance with GMS Racing providing crucial support, Friesen advanced to the playoffs for the first time. Throughout the year, he recorded three second-place finishes and demonstrated consistent competitiveness. Although eliminated in the Round of 8, the team finished seventh in the final points standings, establishing itself as a legitimate championship contender.
The 2019 season brought both adversity and triumph. On July 11, NASCAR confiscated the No. 52 truck before the Kentucky race after discovering an issue with the firewall during pre-race inspection. The team was forced to use its backup truck, which remarkably finished second in the race despite the disruption. This incident tested the organization’s resilience and ability to overcome unexpected challenges.
On August 1, 2019, Friesen finally broke through to claim his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Eldora Speedway. The win validated years of effort and established Friesen as a legitimate winner in the series. He would go on to win again at Phoenix Raceway later that year, finishing the season with two victories and continued playoff contention.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2020–Present)
The transition to Toyota and the alliance with Kyle Busch Motorsports beginning in 2020 marked a new era for the organization. While Friesen missed the playoffs that season, the technical partnership provided long-term benefits for the team’s development program. The 2021 season saw Friesen return to the playoffs despite not winning any races, demonstrating the team’s ability to remain competitive through consistency and strong finishes.
On May 20, 2022, Friesen broke a 54-race winless streak by scoring his third career Truck Series victory at Texas Motor Speedway, passing Christian Eckes for the lead in overtime. This win reinforced the team’s capability to compete for victories on paved tracks, not just dirt. In 2023, Friesen scored five top-five finishes and seven top-ten finishes, maintaining his presence in the upper echelon of the series standings despite going winless and missing the playoffs.
The 2024 season saw Friesen continue his consistent performance with seven top-ten finishes and one top-five, along with a pole position at Nashville. He finished twelfth in the final standings for the second consecutive season. The 2025 season began with a 23rd-place finish at Daytona before Friesen broke a 72-race drought with a victory at Michigan in triple overtime, demonstrating the team’s continued ability to compete for wins.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Halmar Friesen Racing maintains a dual focus on stock car competition and dirt track racing that distinguishes it from many of its competitors. The organization’s roots in dirt track racing provide Stewart Friesen with a unique skill set that translates to strong performances on dirt tracks within the Truck Series schedule. The team has consistently demonstrated the ability to compete at the front of the field on unconventional surfaces, with victories at Eldora and other facilities.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The team’s history includes several landmark achievements that define its competitive legacy. The first career victory at Eldora in August 2019 represented the culmination of years of development and commitment to the program. The 2022 overtime victory at Texas Motor Speedway showcased the team’s ability to execute under pressure on paved tracks. The Michigan victory in 2025, achieved in triple overtime after a 72-race winless stretch, demonstrated resilience and competitive determination. Additionally, the organization’s expansion to full-time two-truck operations beginning in 2026 marks a significant milestone in its growth.
Halmar Friesen Racing Achievements and Results
Halmar Friesen Racing has accumulated notable accomplishments across its tenure in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team has earned five career race victories, three pole positions, and has advanced to the playoffs multiple times since its debut in 2016. With 226 races competed, the organization has established itself as a consistent presence in the series while developing drivers across both its primary entries.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
The team’s five career victories span both dirt and paved tracks, demonstrating versatility in competition. Friesen’s breakthrough win at Eldora in August 2019 marked the team’s first triumph in the series, achieved on the surface where his background provided a competitive advantage. Subsequent victories at Phoenix Raceway in 2019 and Texas Motor Speedway in 2022 established the team’s capability to win on any track configuration. The Michigan victory in 2025 added to the organization’s win tally during a challenging season.
Halmar Friesen Racing has also demonstrated qualifying prowess with three pole positions, including Friesen’s pole at the 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby and his Nashville pole in 2024. The team has made multiple playoff appearances, with Friesen finishing seventh in the final points standings in 2018 as his best championship result.
Truck No. 52 Achievements
The No. 52 entry has served as the team’s primary program throughout its history. Stewart Friesen has driven the truck full-time since 2017, accumulating all five of the team’s victories and three pole positions. The truck has been a consistent top-ten contender, with multiple seasons featuring multiple runner-up finishes and playoff advancement. The program’s development from a part-time entry to a full-time championship contender represents the core of Halmar Friesen Racing’s competitive identity.
Truck No. 62 Achievements
The No. 62 entry has evolved from a part-time program into a full-time operation beginning in 2026. The truck has served as a development platform for multiple drivers, including Jessica Friesen, Todd Bodine, and Layne Riggs. Todd Bodine’s six-race program in 2022, backed by Camping World sponsorship, brought veteran experience to the team and helped the driver achieve his 800th career NASCAR start. Layne Riggs demonstrated promising potential with a seventh-place finish at IRP and a second-place qualifying effort at Phoenix. Beginning in 2026, John Hunter Nemechek will drive the No. 62 full-time, elevating the program to a two-full-time-truck operation.
Development Program Achievements
Beyond its NASCAR competition, Halmar Friesen Racing maintains an active modified racing program throughout the Northeastern United States. The organization supports multiple drivers in grassroots racing while providing a pathway for emerging talent to experience Truck Series competition. Drivers including Wesley Slimp, Cole Butcher, and Mike Christopher Jr. have made their Truck Series debuts with the team, contributing to the development of the next generation of NASCAR competitors.
