Auto Racing News - 3 August 2025

This week's column will be a little different. I will start with the information available at this time in regard to the Monday night accident involving modified driver Stewart Friesen of Sprakers. Stewart was at Autodrome Drummond for night number one of the Super DIRTcar Series-King of the North Swing. On lap 16 of the feature, Stewart was going to the outside to move around his competitors when he drifted off the racing surface and made heavy contact with a concrete wall. This then sent his Halmar number 44 into a series of violent rolls, which destroyed his car. There was contact from other vehicles as Friesen's car was flipping and then coming to rest on the track.

A couple of posts from Stewart's wife, Jessica, have provided updates on his condition. Stewart suffered a fractured pelvis and a fractured right leg, injuries that will require numerous surgeries. He was in serious but stable condition at a hospital in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. CT scans were clear, showing no head, neck, or spinal injuries; however, he was in a tremendous amount of pain. Plans were to relocate Stewart to a hospital in upstate New York where more surgeries could take place. We wish Stewart the best of care, and everyone's thoughts, prayers, and well wishes are with his wife, Jessica, and son, Parker. Driver Mario Clair also received injuries but was reportedly able to walk away from the horrific accident.

Tonight at Dodge City Speedway is a Money Race for the Senior Wing Champ division on Frank's Heavy Duty Truck Repair Night. Next week is a regular program on PowerHouse Motorsports night. At Albany-Saratoga Speedway, it is Native Pride Night with $3,000 to win for the DIRTcar big block modified division, plus a DiCarlo's Auto Body 358-modified $2,000-to-win feature. Utica-Rome Speedway has First Responders, Police, and Nurses Night, where firefighters, EMS, police officers, and nurses receive free grandstand admission.

On Saturday, Fonda Speedway is offering a full night of on-track action with two Amsterdam Truck Center modified features, plus the completion of the Bill Ag Modified Elimination Races. On Sunday, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will host the DIRTcar Championship series, with many of the top drivers from the northeast confirming their intentions to race at the "Fastest 1/4 Mile on Dirt."

Last Friday, for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, it was the 200th Truck Series start for Stewart Friesen on his birthday. Friesen started 35th and steadily moved up, finishing Stage One in 15th and Stage Two in eighth. For Stage Three, Friesen stayed out, taking a risk on older tires and less fuel, which allowed him to start in first place. Stewart was able to lead approximately 25 laps and finished third, earning his fourth top-five finish of 2025. However, during post-race inspection, Friesen’s number 52 Toyota Tundra was found to be too low in the front, causing the Sprakers driver to be disqualified and receive no points for his gallant performance. An appeal was filed with NASCAR, and as of this time, I have not seen any results from the appeal.

On "Stan Da' Man" night at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Ronnie Johnson led just the final lap to win the Next Generation Roofing modified division 32-lap feature. In the Doug Wholey’s Ideal Excavating DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division feature, Tim Hartman Jr. scored the win. In the Saratoga Masonry Supply pro stock feature, Rich Crane claimed the victory. The Haun Welding limited sportsman division feature winner was Bodie Marks, and the Cornell’s Auto Parts street stock division feature was won by Andrew Fitzgerald.

At Utica-Rome Speedway, Matt Sheppard took the win in the 3 Bastards Brewing modified division feature. In the Taylor’s Trailers crate 602 sportsman division feature, the winner was Payton Talbot. In the Next Generation GraphiX pro stock division feature, George Cushman beat Devon Camenga and “Cousin” Luke Horning. The Fastline Performance limited sportsman division feature was won by Chris Darling, and the limited division feature from June 16 saw Jayden Wust take the win.

At Outlaw Speedway, former Fonda Speedway modified champion Bobby Varin finished fifth in the modified feature. At Penn-Can Speedway, Darwin Greene finished second in the modified feature. Bobby Hackel IV was at Accord Speedway, where he finished 18th in the 35-lap modified feature.

At Fonda Speedway, Rocky Warner claimed the win in the 358-modified division feature. In the Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Tyler Peet earned the win. For the Leatherstocking Credit Union pro stock division, it was the 20th annual Hondo Classic, and "Cousin" Luke Horning was victorious over Beau Ballard and Andy Graves. Ivan Joslin won the BOBCO Dash for the pro stocks. The Montgomery County Office for Aging limited sportsman division feature was won by Camron Hotaling, and in the Fonda Fair 4-cylinder division, Wayne Russell Jr. won the single cam division and the dual cam division was won by Jay Ingersoll.

At Weedsport, Stewart Friesen earned his 52nd Super DIRTcar Series victory over Mat Williamson and Matt Sheppard. Alex Yankowski finished fourth and Jack Lehner sixth. For Friesen, the number 52 carries a family tradition dating back to when his grandfather was racing and was track champion at Weedsport in 1972.

Unfortunately, on Sunday, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park was forced to cancel their program. Backpack Night will take place this week, plus the DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series will highlight the show, and the Hall of Fame inductions will be rescheduled.

At Weedsport for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink sprint car series, the 30-lap feature was won by David Gravel, and Danny Varin earned the Hard Charger Award. The 40-lap big block modified feature was won by Erick Rudolph over Larry Wight and Mike Mahaney.

Monday night was a trip to Canada to Autodrome Drummond for the Super Dirt Series-King of the North. It was the 100th SDS win for Sheppard, who was followed by Alex Payne and David Hebert. Tuesday was night two at Drummond, and fans would see Matt Sheppard earn the win over Mat Williamson and Alex Yankowski. Alex would receive the guaranteed starting spot for the Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux 200 at Oswego during Super Dirt Week in October.