Stewart Friesen to make NASCAR Cup Series debut on Bristol dirt
Shane Walters
The avid dirt racer will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut on the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt track
A dirt track currently sits on top of the famed half-mile concrete oval. The NASCAR Cup Series is set to run their first race on a dirt surface since 1970.
On Saturday, the NASCAR Trucks will take the green flag on the new track. Friesen will run that event but there’s much more on his schedule for the weekend.
Stewart Friesen is also going to use it as an opportunity to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut. The 37-year-old is entering his 6th year in the sport and he’s set to run the biggest race of his career.
Outside of NASCAR, Friesen runs many dirt races each year in open wheel modifieds. And earlier this season, he also made his debut in a dirt late model via the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
On March 28th, Friesen will drive the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports. Halmar International will serve as the primary sponsor of the machine. Kevin Bellcourt is set to lead the team as the crew chief for the event.
Additionally, Stewart Friesen will run on the Bristol Dirt Track with the World of Outlaws. The Bristol Bash event is scheduled for April 9-10.
Friesen has 330 career feature wins in dirt modified racing. He also went to victory lane at Eldora Speedway back in 2019.
Jessica Friesen, wife of Stewart Friesen will also be running the NASCAR Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Halmar Friesen Racing will field a second truck to support the entry.
Friesen also has three heat race wins in NASCAR Truck competition at Eldora Speedway. Those came in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
“It’s a dream come true to compete in the Cup Series,” Stewart Friesen stated via a team release.
“It’s the pinnacle of motorsports in North America. As a race fan myself, it has always been something I’ve dreamed about doing. I’m really excited to work with Kevin Bellcourt as our crew chief. I’ve known him for a few years now since we worked together at GMS.”
“In addition to Kevin, the whole Spire Motorsports group has been very welcoming. There’s some stuff we can take from our dirt experience with the truck at Eldora and apply to the Cup car to hopefully be very competitive at Bristol.”
Friesen concluded, “Thanks to Halmar International for coming on board as a partner for this whole deal, and thanks to the whole group at Spire Motorsports for the opportunity.”
Friesen opened his NASCAR career via the NASCAR Truck Series in 2016. He’s run 96 races and collected two race wins along the way.