New Beginning: Halmar Friesen Racing Announces Toyota Partnership for 2020 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Title Chase
STATESVILLE, NC – Halmar Friesen Racing (HFR) officials today announced plans to chase the 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series championship with driver Stewart Friesen.
The ‘20 season marks a new beginning for HFR and the No. 52.
HFR makes the move to Toyota with the support of Toyota Racing Development (TRD).
“We were all very impressed after spending time with Toyota,” Friesen said. “TRD has been welcoming to our organization. With their support, knowledge and technology, we hope to bring our team to another level.”
HFR has secured a new base of operations in Statesville, N.C. Trucks will be purchased through Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Tripp Bruce returns to the team as Crew Chief. Gene Nead has been signed as Competition Director.
“Through this transition, we’ve been able to retain several members of our team from last season,” Friesen said. “They’ve remained loyal to us and have new energy going into 2020.”
HFR principal Chris Larsen feels HFR has assembled a championship-caliber organization.
“The championship is our goal,” Larsen said. “Making it to the ‘Final Four’ was an accomplishment, but we’re all competitive. You want to be sitting at the head table at the series banquet. We’re working to be that team.”
Friesen, 36, enjoyed a career season on the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series in ’19, placing fourth in points and earning the first two victories of his career: on the dirt at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway in August and the ISM Raceway (Phoenix) in November.
In 23 events, Friesen’s two victories were accompanied by 12 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
The Canadian-born Friesen, who resides in Sprakers, N.Y., enters his fourth season of NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series competition.
About Halmar Friesen Racing
Founded in 2017, Halmar Friesen Racing of Statesville, N.C., is a leading NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series team fielding the Halmar International No. 52 Toyota Tundra for Stewart Friesen.
About Stewart Friesen
Born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Stewart Friesen is a 36-year-old professional stock car driver in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. Now a resident of Sprakers, N.Y., Friesen additionally competes in 50-plus Northeast dirt Modified events annually. Friesen has amassed 307 career victories.
Sources: Brett Deyo/BD Motorsports Media