OSWEGO, NY (Sept. 27, 2023) – Stewart Friesen had to be patient.
His summer results weren’t where he’d like them with his dirt program, but he was rebuilding. Rebuilding his motor program and refining his setups.
In the last couple of weeks, his patience was rewarded. He won the Fonda 200 and the Malta Massive Weekend at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, finding his stride in time for the crown jewel Big Block Modified race of the year – Super DIRT Week 51 at Oswego Speedway (Oct. 2-8).
“We’re just kind of hitting our stride,” Friesen said. “It’s a product of hard work. We’ve changed stuff up a little with our motor program. We’re starting to see the benefits of that.
“We’ve used some races as test sessions. Just trying to get the team better. I think we’ve been kind of gearing toward this fall season and the big-money stuff… It’s pretty cool to see the plan come into action and start to pay off.”
Friesen, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, is a five-time Super DIRTcar Series Billy Whittaker Cars 200 champion and the 2021 DIRTcar 358 Modified Salute to the Troops 150 champ. If his winning streak continues and he picks up his sixth ‘200’ title, he’ll tie Hall of Famer Brett Hearn for the most all-time.
“If it happens, it happens,” he said. “Either way, it’s Super DIRT Week and it’s [$51,000] to win. It’s a highlight of the schedule. You want to win these big money ones every year. It’s cool to be part of that conversation with the most (Super) DIRT Week wins with Hearn and the legends of the sport. It’s very cool to be part of that conversation but it is another big race that we want to go win.”
And while he’s on a hot streak, Friesen wasn’t ready to hit the accelerator on considering himself a favorite to win. After winning the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 at Oswego Speedway in 2016, Friesen said he feels like he’s struggled at the 5/8-mile track with his #44 Big Block ever since.
His last five finishes included a…
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