On behalf of everyone here at SFM, I would like to start this article by sending my best wishes to Stewart Friesen and his family as they navigate this recovery following his violent crash at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec last night. According to Stewart’s Wife, Jessica, in an update provided this morning, “Stewart has suffered an unstable/open book pelvic fracture, meaning his pelvis is broken in two places, with a large hematoma in the area. Stewart also has a fractured right leg. Both of these injuries will require surgery.” (The remainder of the update can be found on Friesen’s personal Twitter/X Account.)

What now for HFR?

With Friesen out for the foreseeable future, Halmar-Friesen Racing is presented with a significant task. The team was locked into the Playoffs following Friesen’s dramatic win at Michigan in June, and the team was fresh off a 3rd place run at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday night; however, he was disqualified following technical inspection later that night.

HFR will likely still be pursuing an Owners Championship, so that raises the question, “Who will be brought in to aid in that pursuit?”.

I am going to try to answer that question. I’m going to break it up into three sections: Unlikely, But Not Impossible; More Realistic; Most Likely.

Unlikely, But Not Impossible

Jack Hawksworth: For those familiar with Hawksworth, it’d be no surprise that if this were to happen, he would likely only run the two road course races that remain for the Truck Series at Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval. If you’re not familiar with him, allow me to enlighten you. Jack Hawksworth is a former INDYCAR Driver turned IMSA star for Vasser-Sullivan Racing. He currently sits 2nd in points in the GTD class with his teammate Parker Thompson. What gives this theory credence is the fact that Hawksworth drives for Lexus, a brand that is owned by Toyota, and has raced in the Truck Series once before at Circuit of the Americas in 2024, where he started and finished in 6th.

Brent Crews: Crews is one of Toyota’s top young talents who has impressed early on at every level thus far. The 17-year-old has made three starts in the Craftsman Truck Series this year at North Wilkesboro, Lime Rock Park, and this past weekend at IRP. Despite his talent, I think it’s unlikely he lands in this seat because he wouldn’t be eligible to run all of the races, and he is still slated to drive the #1 for Tricon Garage later this year.

More Realistic

Kaz Grala: Grala is currently employed by Legacy Motor Club as their reserve driver and has a proven history as a bit of a super sub in the past. The Boston native has more than 150 NASCAR starts since 2016, including a win in the Truck Series at Daytona in 2017.

Ryan Truex: Three-Time Xfinity Series Race Winner Ryan Truex is currently the reserve driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and has had a strong affiliation with Toyota for several years. He’s driven for the aforementioned JGR as well as Sam Hunt Racing. He made one Cup start earlier this year in relief of Denny Hamlin in Mexico City, where he finished 23rd, and two Xfinity Series starts as well, but otherwise has seen little to no track time.

Most Likely

Isabella Robusto: This is the option that makes the most sense to me. Robusto gets to get her feet wet in the Truck Series without expectations being too high. She is arguably the top Female prospect in the sport at the moment and is having a very solid rookie year in the ARCA Menards Series, where she sits 5th in points with 4 Top-5s and 10 Top-10s in 11 races. Additionally, Robusto is 20 Years old, meaning she could run every remaining race and give her a chance to gel with the team and build her confidence moving forward.