FRIESEN ADDS TO GATEWAY SUCCESS WITH ANOTHER TOP-FIVE
Jesse Love earns a top-10 finish in his debut
MADISON, Ill. (June 3, 2023) – Stewart Friesen (third) earned his fourth consecutive top-five finish at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Saturday afternoon to lead Toyota. Toyota development driver Jesse Love finished a strong ninth in his series debut.
Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway
Race 12 of 23 – 160 Laps, 200 Miles
TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Grant Enfinger*
2nd, Christian Eckes*
3rd, STEWART FRIESEN
4th, Carson Hocevar*
5th, Chase Purdy*
9th, JESSE LOVE
13th, TAYLOR GRAY
16th, TYLER ANKRUM
18th, TIMMY HILL
21st, TANNER GRAY
24th, TONI BREIDINGER
34th, DEAN THOMPSON
35th, CLAY GREENFIELD
*non-Toyota driver
TOYOTA QUOTES
STEWART FRIESEN, No. 52 Ferris Commercial Mowers Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Halmar Friesen Racing
Finishing Position: 3rd
How was your race?
“We had a really good Ferris/Halmar Tundra TRD Pro. Good on the long run. Our short run speed wasn’t great. I felt like the 98 (Ty Majeski) was probably the best, but the longer we go, we get slipping and sliding and moving around – and then we never got that long run in the end. Hats off to the team in stall 32. My guys did a heck of a job creating calls and getting us track position when we did it. I was kind upset with them after the first stop, because we pitted early and I said, we should have stayed out and won the stage, but it kept us in the hunt to win the second stage. We got an opportunity to do that, and it kept us with the lead pack all race. Just a great job. I’m so proud of this team. Thanks to Chris Larsen and all of our fans.”
How was your truck over the course of this day?
“Conditions were hot, but we got really racy there at the end. We had a really good long Ferris Tundra TRD Pro. Big thanks to everyone at Ferris, everyone at Halmar. It’s grass cutting season in the Northeast, so go find your local Ferris dealer and check them out.”
JESSE LOVE, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage
Finishing Position: 9th
Top-10 finish in your debut. What did you learn throughout the day?
“It was tough to get track position. I thought we were always faster than the guys in front of us. It was just hard to get up there. Obviously, once you get in the top-five, then yeah, it’s not quite as easy to catch the guys in front of you. I got outraced a little bit today in a lot of different aspects, but my crew chief (Scott Zipadelli) did a great call. We were definitely on old tires at the end and at a big deficit for that. I just had to get up on the wheel and try to not lose any spots. I was pretty happy with it. My goal was to run top-eight. I thought that would signify a pretty good day, and I think running ninth after being on really old tires at the end, I was happy with. There was times we were battling for third and that is all that I can ask for. Definitely a lot to learn on my end, but I love the challenge. We’ve been on such a roll here lately, that a little bit of a reality check don’t hurt that bad. I’m fine with that. I’ve learned a lot, and I just want to thank Safelite, Toyota Racing and TRICON. I’m hoping that Corey (Heim) feels better soon.”
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th 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 22 electrified options.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
