Story By: CHAD OFIARA / HALMAR FRIESEN RACING – STATESVILLE, NC – It’s time to hit Thunder Valley with a chance to advance in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs for Stewart Friesen.
Friesen is currently ranked fourth in the Truck Series standings, 33 markers above the cutoff line. He’s also 36 points out of the top spot.
After Bristol, two drivers below the cutoff line will be removed from the championship chase.
In five starts on the pavement in Thunder Valley, the Sprakers, NY driver has scored two top 5’s and two top 10’s with 868 total laps run.
“We’re excited to get back to Bristol,” Friesen said. “It’s one of our favorite tracks. With the momentum we’ve been building so far in the playoffs, the team has been working around the clock to bring a super fast Toyota Tundra to Bristol.”
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, Stewart would clinch with 23 points. If there is a new winner from Zane Smith or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, Stewart Friesen would clinch with 27 points.
“The goal is to win the Championship,” he said. “We feel that we are clicking on all cylinders at a time when it matters most.”
There will be no qualifying or practice for the UNOH 200. Friesen will start from the fifth position. The Halmar team will work out of pit stall #42 which is the first pit stall on the backstretch pit closest to turn 2.
Thursday’s race will be live on Fox Sports 1 at 9pm with TV coverage starting at 8:30pm EST.
The event will be 200 laps (106.6 miles). Stage one ends on lap 55. Stage two ends on lap 110 and Stage three ends at the conclusion of the race on lap 200.