FRIESEN DELIVERS SEASON-BEST RESULT IN CHARLOTTE
Corey Heim’s strong performance ends in a disqualification due to three lugnuts found to not be safe and secure
CHARLOTTE (May 24, 2024) – Stewart Friesen had a stellar finish this evening as he was scored second in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, while Dean Thompson scored his second top-10 finish of the day, as he finished ninth on the eve of his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut.
Corey Heim led 72 of 134 laps and won both stages but had to battle through multiple issues on pit road in the last stage of the Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Toyota Development Driver fell all the way to 28th at one point before battling his way through the field. However, his valiant efforts ended in disqualification after his Tundra was found to have three lugnuts not safe and secure in post-race inspection.
Tanner Gray had a stellar day as well, winning his second pole and scoring his first ARCA win. Gray had a solid race – picking up 19 stage points before a late race near-spin dropped him to 17th in the final running order.
Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Race 11 of 23 – 134 Laps, 201 Miles
TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Nick Sanchez*
2nd, STEWART FRIESEN
3rd, Grant Enfinger*
4th, Matt Mills*
5th, Ben Rhodes*
9th, DEAN THOMPSON
12th, TAYLOR GRAY
15th, BRETT MOFFITT
17th, TANNER GRAY
22nd, TIMMY HILL
35th, JEFFREY EARNHARDT
36th, COREY HEIM
*non-Toyota driver
TOYOTA QUOTES
STEWART FRIESEN, No. 52 Halmar International Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Halmar Friesen Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd
How much confidence does this give you?
“Jimmy (Villeneuve) made a good call to pit there, and pit early and then we had that quick caution. I’m like, man, we will see how good we really are. We’ve been fighting dirty air all year. We got some clean air on this Halmar Tundra TRD Pro, and this thing runs pretty good – just sucks in the pack. We will keep building our notebook, and see if we can make our stuff better.”
DEAN THOMPSON, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage
Finishing Position: 9th
Top-10’s in both races today, before your Xfinity Series debut tomorrow. Can you talk about today and what you are looking forward to tomorrow?
“Finishing ninth tonight felt a lot more rewarding than finishing top-10 in ARCA. I think we had a car to win both, but just strategy didn’t fall our way in the Truck race and we salvaged a ninth-place. Happy with that. In the ARCA race, we had a bunch of issues, and probably had a car to win if we didn’t have those issues – but fought all day long, and salvaged a top-10. Pretty funny how those two are different. I feel alright. I little worn out. I’m going to go home, sleep and go do some recovery work in the morning, and then it’s time to finish the 650 (miles).”
COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage
Finishing Position: 36th (originally 2nd, disqualified after three lugnuts found to not be safe and secure in post-race inspection)
What could you have done differently?
“Obviously, an eventful day for us. Just, I feel like it got away from us on separate occasions there. We had control of the race and as soon as you don’t, we were just victim to the leader. He can control the air, and Nick (Sanchez) did a great job at blocking my air the best he could. Props to him – he did a great job. I thought we had the best truck by a long shot, just behind the leader you couldn’t do much. I feel like we were able to get through traffic so well. I’m glad we could make it entertaining at least, but it really doesn’t matter when you finish second. Huge thank you to TRICON Garage for this bullet. I feel like we were so good today. Safelite, Toyota Racing – just super disappointing to say the least.”
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.
