Feb 14, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Kaden Honeycutt (45) during qualifying for the Fresh From Floria 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images Kaden Honeycutt will fill in for injured Stewart Friesen in the No. 52 Toyota for the rest of the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series season.
The announcement was made by Halmar Friesen Racing on Tuesday, the day after Honeycutt was released from Niece Motorsports’ No. 45 Chevrolet “effective immediately.”
Friesen, 42, is recovering from multiple surgeries after suffering pelvic and leg fractures last week in a crash at a Super DIRTcar Series event in his home country of Canada. His wife, Jessica, wrote in a social media post that her husband underwent a “multi-hour surgery” on July 31 that “went very well.”
Honeycutt, 22, is sixth in the points standings with only two regular-season races remaining and is in ninth in the provisional playoff picture. With a 73-point cushion above the elimination line, Honeycutt has a strong chance to secure one of the 10 postseason berths.
He announced Tuesday that he will drive the No. 02 car for Friday’s race at Watkins Glen. Cup Series star Christopher Bell will drive the No. 52 this weekend.
“Keeping the championship dream alive before hopping in the No. 52 to finish the year,” Honeycutt wrote. “I look forward to making Stewart and Jessica proud and chasing wins and a championship.”
Niece Motorsports announced that Xfinity Series regular Connor Zilisch will be in the No. 45 for Watkins Glen, with Bayley Currey taking over for the final eight Truck Series races of the season.
“Honeycutt has signed a contract to race with a different Truck Series organization and OEM in 2026 — making this change allows our team the opportunity to begin building for next year,” Niece Motorsports said in a statement posted Monday on X.
Honeycutt has a pair of top-five finishes and nine top-10s this season.
“It’s an honor to be able to fill in for Stewart for the rest of the season and help give his team a chance at the owner’s championship, which they earned,” Honeycutt said in a statement. “I’m excited to compete in contending, race-winning equipment as I pursue a title this season. We are going to work hard to have a solid final eight races of the season and continue to deliver great results for Stewart, his family and this organization.”
–Field Level Media
