Canadian racer and Craftsman Truck Series driver Stewart Friesen was involved in a horrific on track incident Monday night (July 28) while racing a Super DIRTcar Series race at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec.
According to reports, his number 44 car jumped the cushion (small dirt wall at the edge of the track) on the backstretch causing the car to tip on its right hand side; hitting the outside retaining wall. The car then flipped and barrel-rolled multiple times before catching fire and coming to rest upside down on the track. A fellow racer nearby could not stop in time and hit Friesen’s car.
Social media posts on Monday night noted that it took over half an hour to extricate Friesen from his car. He was conscious and alert upon exiting the car.
Friesen has a fractured pelvis and right leg which will require surgery to repair.
Reporting the crash on social media, wife Jessica said, “thank you to the manufacturers who have made dirt modifieds as safe as possible, and to the track crew for their patience and hard work getting Stew out of the car.”
After racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday night and driving to a third place finish before NASCAR officials ruled the ride height of the 52 truck was too low and disqualified Friesen, he ran a Super DIRTcar Series at Weedsport Speedway earning his 52nd win on Saturday night.
After winning the Craftsman Truck series race at Michigan on June 7, Friesen had qualified for the playoffs.
With pending surgery, Friesen is most likely out for the remainder of the season. There is no word on who will take over the driving duties of the number 52 truck or how the playoff issue will be resolved.
The story is continuing to develop.