Stewart Friesen reveals 'goal' for NASCAR return, addresses potential of retirement

About two months out from his horrific crash and injuries in a dirt late model race, Stewart Friesen is all smiles again. Friesen is not racing in the NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs. Kaden Honeycutt has taken over his ride. But his return could be sooner than you think.

Of course, the obvious goal is to race at Daytona in 2026. That was likely the goal from the start, given the timeline that Stewart Friesen has had to recover from his injuries and surgery.

The NASCAR Truck Series team owner and driver has a more optimistic timeline in his head. While we won’t see him in the 52 Toyota Tundra, Friesen fans might see their favorite driver on the dirt again in 2025.

“That’s the goal we set right away,” Friesen told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports when asked about Daytona 2026. “You know, if I could get a little bit more mobility and range of motion back in this right foot, I’d like to be back, in at least a dirt car, maybe for World Finals. But I think that’s super wishful thinking and if my wife was here, she’d be punching me. But I can say that without her being here.

“So, that’s the goal. We’re going to work as hard as we can. … It’s been something we couldn’t do by ourself. My wife has been awesome, Jess has been a superhero through all of this. And you know, we’re just going to work as hard as we can.”

Of course, Stewart Friesen isn’t a young driver anymore. We can be honest and say that about the 42 year old. So, after a huge crash and some rough injuries, is retirement on the table? It sounds like it is still an option, albeit not the number one option in Friesen’s mind.

“That’s…that’s, yeah. That’s something that’s crossed my mind,” Friesen admitted. “But I don’t know yet. We’ll see how I feel in a month, two months, whatever. Try not to think about that too much.”

Earlier this season, Stewart Friesen won the Truck Series race at Michigan. He would get injured just weeks after that victory. It was his first win in years and came at a moment when Friesen was personally struggling with his NASCAR career.

There were many instances early in the season that went the wrong way for Friesen. Before he won at Michigan, he was openly talking about whether racing in NASCAR was worth it anymore. Now, with the injuries he suffered, that thought has to have only gotten louder in his mind.