It’s been just over a week since Stewart Friesen was released from the hospital and began his journey toward recovery, after an accident that came dangerously close to claiming his life. The wreck occurred on July 28 at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec, when Friesen’s Big Block Dirt Modified car rocketed over the cushion exiting the backstretch, flipped multiple times, burst into flames, and was brutally struck by another car as it came to rest. Against all odds, Friesen was found alert and responsive at the scene, later moved to a trauma center in New York, and underwent lengthy surgery on July 31. And just days after coming back home, Friesen has already made a bold decision for himself.
With a win at Michigan earlier in the season already provisioning his spot in the Truck Series Playoffs, the logical next step seemed clear: Friesen could pursue a medical waiver, which would preserve all his earned playoff points while he recovered. But Friesen made a surprising and admirable choice by declining the waiver, which allows drivers in recovery to keep their standings intact with no penalty. Instead of holding onto a playoff lifeline, he opted to step aside, letting another driver take his place in the championship chase, but the question remains: Why?
Friesen talks about his recovery pace and the playoff decision
Even as he works through extensive recovery, Friesen remains laser-focused on incremental progress. Speaking on SiriusXM Radio, posted on X, Freisen said, “Right now I’m just focused on getting my body back… not thinking super long-term,” projecting a timeline of another week of follow-up doctor visits before beginning physical therapy. His medical clearance will depend on how his body responds over the next four weeks, emphasizing the priority placed on health and complete recovery before attempting a return to the truck. He was discharged on August 6, after the operation to repair a crushed pelvis, compound leg fractures, a broken C-7 vertebra, and a shattered left hip using plates, rods, screws, and pins to stabilize the damage. And while he was in the hospital, NASCAR added salt to his wound.
The NASCAR panel had immediately DQ’d him from IRP right on the day of the accident, which left a lot of fans in sheer dismay. Friesen’s health-focused approach meant that, despite being eligible for a NASCAR medical waiver, which would have preserved his playoff status, he chose not to pursue it. “We kind of felt for the integrity of the series… let the cards fall where they may,” he said, acknowledging the effect his withdrawal would have on the playoff landscape. He understood that there was no practical upside to holding onto a playoff spot he physically couldn’t contest. Rather than waiting for an uncertain waiver process, he’s prioritized fairness and given another competitor the chance.
“It just didn’t work out to even be financially beneficial on our side.”@StewartFriesen gives an update on his timeline for a return and explains why he opted not to apply for a playoff waiver.
More https://t.co/WGRTG5gnEd pic.twitter.com/Wl41xEVV5j
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) August 15, 2025
With Friesen sidelined, Kaden Honeycutt will step into the No. 52 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing. At 22 years old, Honeycutt brings nine prior Truck Series starts and two top-10 finishes; this season, he is currently 9th with 2003 points, demonstrating enough consistency to justify a full-time opportunity. Friesen summarized the transition simply: “We just look forward and go race with Kaden.” His words reflect the same integrity that underscored his waiver decision, putting team continuity and competitive fairness on par with personal ambition.
This season, Friesen showed flashes of his usual consistency before the crash. After a rough start, finishing 23rd at Daytona and 2nd at Atlanta, he rebounded with strong performances at Las Vegas and Martinsville, followed by his first win of 2025 at Michigan International Speedway in June. The win snapped a 72-race drought and marked his fourth career victory in the Truck Series. At the time of his crash, he stood 7th in points with 397, having led 42 laps in 16 starts — solid evidence of his competitiveness this year. While Honeycutt has big shoes to fill in the no. 52 for Friesen, there’s another car duty he has to be ready to take over next year.
Honeycutt’s upcoming role amidst Heim’s winning streak
Corey Heim continues his stronghold in the Craftsman Truck Series, with a pole win secured in the qualifying race, he stood victorious at Richmond on Saturday. This registers seven wins so far in the 2025 season, including his climb to 18 career Truck Series victories. Driving the No. 11 Toyota for Tricon Garage, Heim secured the eero 250 victory, leading the final 19 laps to add another notch to a season defined by consistency and dominance.
Just a week prior, Heim triumphed at Watkins Glen, surviving a chaotic triple-overtime finish to earn his sixth win of the season and his 17th career victory, showcasing road-course mastery en route.
Yet, while Heim’s immediate focus is on Richmond and the playoffs, the garage chatter is centered on who might be in the No. 11 Toyota next season. According to Door, Bumper, Clear host Freddie Kraft, Kaden Honeycutt—fresh off joining Halmar Friesen Racing after parting ways with Niece Motorsports has reportedly signed with Toyota and is positioned as the leading candidate to replace Heim in 2026: “He is leaving Niece Motorsports. He is signing with a Toyota team. You can probably put two and two together that he’s going to be the one to replace Heim in the 11.”
Meanwhile, Friesen’s absence opens competition and showcases his belief in earning his place, not taking it. As other drivers jockey for seats and momentum at tracks like Richmond, Friesen’s journey off the track underscores a deeper resilience that’s just as compelling as any pole position.
The post Days After Escaping Death, NASCAR Driver Breaks Silence With Self-Sacrificial Move appeared first on EssentiallySports.
