Stewart Friesen needs veteran presence to shine through in regular-season finale

If there was ever a time for Stewart Friesen to drive the race of his life, it would be Saturday night in Richmond, Virginia.

The 41-year-old NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran has made the playoffs four times in his career, including a trip to the Championship Four in 2019. However, after missing the playoffs in 2023, Friesen must make up 16 points over the course of Saturday's Clean Harbors 250 to avoid missing the postseason for the second consecutive year. 

Friesen has done a nice job of bouncing back after a rocky start to 2024, as he didn't collect a top-10 finish until North Wilkesboro on May 19. Since then, however, Friesen has put together a solid stretch of races, finishing inside the top-11 five times over his last six starts. If not for a 33rd-place effort at IRP on July 19, he might be inside the provisional playoff picture. 

The regular-season finale at Richmond won't define Friesen's career, but it could go a long way in determining its immediate trajectory. If Friesen misses the playoffs for the second year in a row, he'll be short on momentum heading into 2025. If he's unable to win a race over the final eight events of 2024, there's not a ton of hope of expectation for the No. 52 next season. 

Friesen will take the green flag for the regular-season finale at Richmond shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Clean Harbors 250 will air on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.