WELCOME BACK, STEW: Stewart Friesen Scores Emotional DIRTcar Nationals Win in Super DIRTcar Series Return
For weeks on his social media pages, Stewart Friesen posted that “the comeback is always stronger than the setback.”
And on Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park, he completed that comeback.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON driver passed Felix Roy with four laps to go to win the opening night at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, reaching Victory Lane in his first Super DIRTcar Series start since he was injured in a crash last July. The celebration on Volusia’s frontstretch was an emotional one, a moment he shared with his wife Jessica and son Parker.
Friesen, the SRI Performance and Stock Car Steel Pole award winner, led the opening circuit of the 30-lap Feature, gaining an advantage over Roy. That lead didn’t last long, though, as the race’s first caution for Rick Laubach, who spun in Turn 2, slowed the field on Lap 6.
When the race resumed, it looked like Friesen’s chance to capitalize on the pole position slipped away, as Roy drove around him on the outside of Turns 3 and 4 to lead Lap 7. From there, Roy pulled away from Friesen and held the lead over the next 16 laps before a caution for Justin Haers on Lap 23 gave Friesen an opportunity to regain the lead.
On the restart, Roy returned to the bottom of the track, getting separation from the No. 44. However, Friesen started to gain momentum on the outside line, reeling in Roy’s No. 91 at every turn.
Friesen made his move four laps later. With a burst of speed off Turn 2, the NASCAR Trucks Series star drove by Roy on the outside lane to take a lead he wouldn’t relinquish.
He held on for the final three laps to score his 11th DIRTcar Nationals win and 53rd career Series triumph.
Friesen said he kept searching and finally found a line that let him drive by Roy.
“He was kind of running a slider line in (Turn) 3 and 4, and I could get up on the cushion and rip, and I’d just try to pound it for all its worth getting into (Turn) 1,” Friesen said. “We started getting a really good run off of (Turn) 2 and it finally came to me there.
“I would’ve rather led them all from the pole, but it was a great race.”
Roy settled for second, narrowly missing out on his first Super DIRTcar Series victory. The Napierville, QC driver earned his finish in the face of adversity after a fire burned down his race shop last week.
“Hollywood” said he was happy with the finish, driving the car he runs on Friday nights at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, which is prepared by Elmo’s Speed and Supply.
“The race was a tough one, “Roy said. “We were able to get around Stew on the top, and I felt pretty good halfway till the end of the race. And then I went back to the bottom. I’m really happy with second anyway. It’s good for us. Every year we come down here, and we don’t do too good.
“It’s a really good way to start the week. I’m happy.”
Rounding out the podium was Erick Rudolph. Defending Series champion Mat Williamson finished fourth, and Jack Lehner finished fifth.
RACE NOTES:
JAM Performance Fastest Hot Lap Award: Stewart Friesen
Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux Quick Time Award: Duane Howard
Bicknell Racing Products Heat Race 1 Winner: Erick Rudolph
DIG Race Products Heat Race 2 Winner: Stewart Friesen
Wix Filters Heat Race 3 Winner: Mat Williamson
The Greatest Store on Dirt.com Heat Race 4 Winner: Matt Caprara
SRI Performance/Stock Car Steel Pole Award Winner: Stewart Friesen
Behrent’s Performance Wearhouse One Lap to Go: Stewart Friesen
UP NEXT: The Super DIRTcar Series returns to Volusia Speedway Park on Thursday, Feb. 12, for night two of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Joining the Beasts of the Northeast are the World of Outlaws Late Models presented by DIRTVision.
For tickets, visit DIRTcarNationals.com.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
FEATURE RESULTS:
DIRTcar Nationals Night 1 (30 Laps): 1. 44-Stewart Friesen[1]; 2. 91-Felix Roy[2]; 3. 25-Erick Rudolph[5]; 4. 88-Mat Williamson[8]; 5. 2-Jack Lehner[13]; 6. 99L-Larry Wight[6]; 7. 9S-Matt Sheppard[27]; 8. 70A-Alex Payne[12]; 9. 98H-Jimmy Phelps[4]; 10. 1-Billy Pauch Jr[10]; 11. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[24]; 12. 21A-Peter Britten[19]; 13. 11-Matt Caprara[7]; 14. 32R-Ronnie Davis III[14]; 15. 165-Rex King Jr[21]; 16. 16-Louden Reimert[20]; 17. 70-Duane Howard[3]; 18. 10C-Danny Creeden[15]; 19. 5H-Amy Holland[17]; 20. 6-Matt Stangle[23]; 21. 0-Glenn Styres[26]; 22. 15X-Justin Stone[25]; 23. 20-Rick Laubach[9]; 24. 33-Eddie Strada[22]; 25. (DNF) 3-Justin Haers[11]; 26. (DNF) 12-Darren Smith[16]; 27. (DNF) 4V-Billy VanInwegen Jr[18]; 28. (DNF) 17-Marcus Dinkins[28]
