NASCAR Truck Series veteran Stewart Friesen was involved in an airborne crash while taking part in a Super DIRTcar Series event, driving a big block dirt modified at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada.
The car flipped after contact with the outside wall, slamming back down onto the ground before being struck by oncoming traffic. The 42-year-old suffered a fractured pelvis and a broken right leg. He has undergone multiple surgeries and has since been transported back to the United States.
While Friesen has a lengthy recovery ahead of him, his truck is still locked into the playoffs via his victory at Michigan. The team has opted to bring in NASCAR Cup star Christopher Bell to drive the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing truck at Watkins Glen International.
"I want to thank everyone for their outreach and support as I continue to recover," said Friesen in a release from the team. "I know Christopher will give our truck a great run. We will be watching and cheering the team on this Friday."
Along with being a fellow Toyota driver, Bell has plenty experience in the lower division, as the 2017 NASCAR Truck Series champion. Bell's most recent Truck start came last year, finishing fifth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bell is one of Toyota's top drivers, with 12 wins in the Cup Series, including three this year. In the Truck Series, he has seven career wins in 57 starts.
"I was honored to receive the call to run this truck for Stewart, a fellow dirt, racer and Toyota teammate, in Watkins Glen," said Bell. "I've spent time with the team these past few days and we are working hard to continue the great season Stewart has had and deliver a great finish for him and his partners."
The team will have to use a variety of drivers while Friesen recovers, and drivers like Bell won't be available once the playoffs begin, as NASCAR restricts full-time Cup drivers with more than three years of experience from crisscrossing between divisions during the championship rounds.
