Second no more: Stewart Friesen scores first career truck win on the dirt at Eldora

ROSSBURG, OHIO - AUGUST 01: Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway on August 01, 2019 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Stewart Friesen became the seventh different winner in seven different races on the dirt at Eldora Speedway Thursday night holding off Sheldon Creed in a two-lap shootout to secure his first NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series win.

The win comes after six second place finishes in his 63 starts spread out over three seasons.

“Today, this is the day,” Friesen said. “This is the week. Thanks to everybody. This is meant to be. We needed to get it done on the dirt. Thanks to everyone. What a special event.”

Behind Creed, series points leader Grant Enfinger was third followed by dirt track racer Mike Marler making his first NASCAR start and Todd Gilliland rounding out the top five.

Last year’s winner Eldora winner Chase Briscoe won the first two stages and led a race high 93 of the 150 laps. A decision to pit after the second stage put him back in the pack while Friesen decided to stay out and assumed the lead. Friesen would go on to lead the remaining 57 laps, while Briscoe suffered damage during a lap 65 14 truck pile up.  Briscoe, who won last week at Pocono, did rally back to make it as high as third place in the closing laps, but a spin with 10 to go ended his hopes at a repeat win.  He finished seventh just behind Christian Eckes.

Tyler Dippel, Tyler Ankrum and Matt Crafton completed the top 10.  There were 12 cautions for 68 laps.

The series moves to Michigan International Speedway for the regular season finale a week from Saturday.  Creed holds the final spot in the 8-driver field which will be set after the race at Michigan.

 

NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race Results Eldora Dirt Derby

Eldora Speedway

Rossburg, Ohio

Thursday, August 1, 2019
1. (4)  Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, 150.

2. (10)  Sheldon Creed #, Chevrolet, 150.

3. (15)  Grant Enfinger, Ford, 150.

4. (23)  Mike Marlar, Toyota, 150.

5. (8)  Todd Gilliland, Toyota, 150.

6. (17)  Christian Eckes, Toyota, 150.

7. (1)  Chase Briscoe(i), Ford, 150.

8. (7)  Tyler Dippel #, Chevrolet, 150.

9. (26)  Tyler Ankrum #, Toyota, 150.

10. (2)  Matt Crafton, Ford, 150.

11. (14)  Justin Shipley, Ford, 150.

12. (12)  Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 150.

13. (32)  Austin Wayne Self, Chevrolet, 150.

14. (9)  Ben Rhodes, Ford, 150.

15. (24)  Mark Smith, Chevrolet, 150.

16. (25)  Tim Ward, Toyota, 150.

17. (30)  Darwin Peters Jr., Chevrolet, 150.

18. (5)  Kyle Strickler, Toyota, 149.

19. (29)  Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 149.

20. (21)  Jeffrey Abbey, Chevrolet, 147.

21. (6)  Johnny Sauter, Ford, 145.

22. (27)  Norm Benning, Chevrolet, 145.

23. (28)  Mason Massey IV, Chevrolet, 144.

24. (22)  Landon Huffman, Chevrolet, 144.

25. (13)  Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 143.

26. (18)  Jake Griffin, Chevrolet, 143.

27. (16)  Colt Gilliam, Chevrolet, 143.

28. (20)  Gus Dean #, Chevrolet, 142.

29. (3)  Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, 141.

30. (31)  Devin Dodson, Chevrolet, 141.

31. (11)  Harrison Burton #, Toyota, 127.

32. (19)  Austin Hill, Toyota, Accident, 79.

Average Speed of Race Winner:  41.247 mph.

Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 49 Mins, 6 Secs. Margin of Victory:  .728 Seconds.

Caution Flags:  12 for 67 laps.

Lead Changes:  1 among 2 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   C. Briscoe(i) 1-93;S. Friesen 94-150.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Chase Briscoe(i) 1 time for 93 laps; Stewart Friesen 1 time for 57 laps.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 27,4,24,2,88,52,99,3,45,54

Stage #2 Top Ten: 27,52,88,54,98,45,4,33,02,99

Greg Engle