Story By: CHAD OFIARA / HALMAR FRIESEN RACING – STATESVILLE, NC – For the second year-in-a-row, the Friesens – Stewart and Jessica – a married couple, will attempt to compete against each other in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Knoxville Raceway.
Jessica Friesen, a well-known sprint car and modifieds dirt racer, will attempt to make her 2022 season debut in the Camping World Truck Series driving the No. 62 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota alongside the familiar No. 52 of husband Stewart Friesen.
The Friesens have competed against each other before, finishing first and second in a race at Utica-Rome Speedway two days after their wedding in 2014.
Then, last season, Jessica and Stewart competed in the same NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Knoxville Raceway. Jessica ultimately finished one spot better than her husband Stewart in the event taking home 26th and 27th-place finishes, respectively.
It was the first time a husband-wife duo competed in the same NASCAR national series race since Elton Sawyer and Patty Moise last did it at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 1998.
This weekend, the Friesens will look to add another race to the list they have both competed in when they attempt to compete in this Saturday’s Clean Harbors 150 at Knoxville Raceway.
Digging Up The Dirt: Camping World Truck Series heads to Knoxville Raceway:
For the second time in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history, the series will venture to Knoxville Raceway for this weekend’s Clean Harbors 150 on Saturday, June 18 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Jessica Friesen, wife of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular Stewart Friesen, will also be preparing to race this weekend. The former Dirt Sprint Car racer and current Dirt Modified competitor will be piloting the Halmar Friesen Racing No. 62 Toyota Tundra.
Last year’s Knoxville Clean Harbor 150 acted as Friesen’s debut in the Truck Series. Having finished 26th in the event, she will look to exceed her previous result and showcase her prowess on dirt against her spouse and the rest of the field.
Knoxville Raceway: Dirt – Qualifying & Race Formats:
This weekend’s racing will have special formats for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. Below are details on the 2022 Knoxville Dirt qualifying and race formats:
- Qualifying Race Starting Lineup – Random draw determines qualifying race designation and starting position for the qualifying race.
- Qualifying Races – Four qualifying races held at 15 laps each with only green flag laps counted – no overtime rule. Free pass and wave around procedures will be in effect.
- Points Earned During Qualifying Races – Drivers will accumulate points in the qualifying races based on finishing position and passing points. The points total of a driver’s passing points and race finishing position points determines the starting position for the feature event.
- Passing Points = The difference between assigned starting position and finishing position
Go forward – accumulate passing points
Go backward or finish where you started – zero passing points - Race Finishing Position Points = Points received for the driver’s finishing position
- Feature Main – Lineup based on combined points of Qualifying Race finishing position and passing points. Feature race will be 150 laps divided into three stages 40/90/150. Running order will be frozen at the conclusion of each stage. During the stage breaks, teams can change tires, add fuel, and make adjustments to their trucks. These non-competitive pit stops must be completed in a time designated by NASCAR. No fuel or tires except at stage breaks. Flat or damaged tires may be changed with approval by NASCAR.
- Passing Points = The difference between assigned starting position and finishing position
Additional Event Highlights – Choose rule will not be in effect for the Knoxville race. The overtime rules, free pass and wave around procedures will be in effect.
The HFR 52 team enters Knoxville 6th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship standings and locked into the playoffs.
KNOXVILLE STATS: Saturday’s Race will be the 2nd time the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has run at Knoxville in 2021 Stewart Friesen finished 27th with Jessica Friesen finishing 26th.
CHASSIS: The HFR 52 team will be utilizing HFR Chassis #021. The HFR 62 team will utilize HFR Chassis 019 both were last used at Bristol on the dirt in April.
QUOTE : “We’re ready to get back to Knoxville and improve on last years runs here. The track is incredible and has so much History. Jess has driven here in a Sprint Car before and knows her way around the place. With what we learned last year we feel confident that our setups will be very competitive. We’re familiar with running against each other every Saturday night in our Dirt Modifieds but it’s really exciting to get to do it with our HFR Trucks.” Stewart Friesen