Stewart Friesen playoff waiver update: NASCAR's Mike Forde reveals timeline for decision

Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, said on Wednesday’s “Hauler Talk” podcast they hope to have a decision on Stewart Friesen‘s possible playoff waiver request made by Friday morning. While that request has not yet been made — Friesen could not request a waiver until he officially missed a race — Forde said they expect it to come this week.

From there, NASCAR must decide if they want to grant Friesen a waiver. Friesen is out for the remainder of the Truck Series season with a broken pelvis and a fractured right leg. By missing last Saturday’s race at Watkins Glen International and this Friday’s race at Richmond Raceway, he is ineligible for the Truck playoffs without the waiver.

“We have not received the waiver request yet, but we have spoken with the team. Believe that request will be coming this week,” Forde said. “But then the next step in the process is discussing whether or not we grant it. TBD on that, but we are hoping to have the waiver and decision made by the opening of the truck garage Friday morning.”

How important is a playoff waiver to Stewart Friesen?

Friesen has a financial incentive to make the 10-driver postseason field. As Forde explained on last week’s Hauler Talk, Friesen would be guaranteed to finish 10th and receive the 10th-place point fund money, even without starting a race. Friesen qualified for the playoffs by winning at Michigan International Speedway.

If NASCAR declines Friesen’s waiver request, the next highest-ranked driver in the points standings would fill the playoff spot. Based on Forde’s comments on Wednesday’s show, everyone will be in the know before the start of Friday night’s regular season finale at Richmond Raceway.

“The goal there is to make sure that fans, our broadcast partners at FOX and all the media, everyone knows what’s on the line Friday night, whether if there is going to be one spot available or two,” Forde said. “I think if the waiver isn’t granted, I believe there’s only one spot left on the line. Kaden Honeycutt I believe will only need to start the race Friday night to lock up his spot and that will be nine of the 10.

“And then, it’s really just a battle for that last spot. More to come on that, but I think fans will know the fate and what we’ll look at by Friday morning.”