What was already going to be a big weekend for Stewart Friesen just got even bigger.
Friesen, a Camping World Truck Series regular who spends his free time racing at dirt tracks across the country, announced on Tuesday evening (March 16) that he would be making his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt race. He will be piloting the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports with sponsorship from his Truck sponsor Halmar International.
Making his @NASCAR Cup Series debut, @StewartFriesen will be wheelin' the No. 77 in the dirt of @BMSupdates. ? pic.twitter.com/HS6uP9R3xd
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) March 16, 2021
“It’s a dream come true to compete in the Cup Series,” Friesen said in a press 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.”
The announcement comes on the heels of the news that Friesen’s wife Jessica will race a second Halmar Racing truck as a teammate to her husband in the Truck Series Bristol dirt race that same weekend. Friesen becomes the first Canadian to race in the Cup Series since D.J. Kennington in 2019.
Friesen has a previous relationship with the No. 77’s crew chief Kevin Bellicourt, as the two worked closely together when Halmar and GMS Racing had an alliance.
“I’m really excited to work with Kevin Bellicourt as our crew chief,” Friesen said. “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.”
Despite it being his Cup debut, Friesen will enter the event with a leg up on a lot of competition, as he is the most recent winner of the Truck race at Eldora Speedway.
“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 said.
The busy weekend for Friesen kicks off with the Truck race on Saturday, March 27, at 8 p.m. ET. The Cup race will be the following day at 3:30 p.m. ET.
About the author
Michael Massie joined Frontstretch in 2017 and has served as the Content Director since 2020. Massie, a Richmond, Va., native, has covered NASCAR, IndyCar, SRX and the CARS Tour. Outside of motorsports, the Virginia Tech grad and Green Bay Packers minority owner can be seen cheering on his beloved Hokies and Packers.
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