Trackin’ Trucks: Stewart Friesen Wins at Eldora

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

Stewart Friesen earned his first career Gander Outdoors Truck Series Victory on Thursday, August 1st during the 7th annual Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway.

The 36 year old from Ontario, Canada led the final 57 laps. He held off Sheldon Creed and Grant Enfinger in overtime.

“Thank you to all the race fans that stuck with us, that pulled for us, everybody that came by the dirt modified hauler and said ‘Man, I thought this was the week,'” Friesen said. “Today, this is the day and today this is the week.”

Friesen made his series debut at the half-mile dirt track in 2016. He finished second six times in the series before getting a win.

Chase Briscoe finished seventh after winning Stage 1 and Stage 2. Briscoe was involved in multiple incidents late in the race.

Mike Marlar, who made his first career start at Eldora, finished fourth and Todd Gilliland finished fifth.

A multi-truck crashed occurred on Lap 64 collecting 14 trucks, including Gus Dean, Brett Moffitt, and Harrison Burton.

Thursday’s race was the first race on the dirt for Ross Chastain. The Niece Motorsports driver spun on Lap 102, but battled back to finish 12th.

Briscoe, Marlar, and Ben Rhodes made contact on Lap 141 to send the race into overtime.

A Look Ahead (Into The Playoffs)

One race remains in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series regular season. The series heads to Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, August 10th.

Defending champion Moffitt won at the track one year ago.

Creed sits on the bubble in eighth in the standings, 172 points behind Enfinger, who is the series leader, while Austin Hill is 19 points behind Creed in ninth.

Who will win at Michigan to secure their place in the 2019 post-season playoffs? Find out on August 10, 2019 at 1 p.m./ET on Fox Sports 1.