Friesen Returns to Ohsweken With Unfinished Business: Double Duty

Originally from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Friesen finished second in the inaugural NASCAR Pinty’s Series race on dirt last summer at the popular track just outside of Hamilton, Ontario. This year offers four chances to find victory lane, as Friesen will compete both Monday and Tuesday nights in a Sprint Car and a NASCAR stock car.

“I love racing at Ohsweken Speedway,” said the popular NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer. “I’ve won here in a Sprint Car, but I just missed winning in the Pinty’s Series car.”

Friesen led at the start of last year’s final lap, but Pinty’s Series standout Treyten Lapcevich made an aggressive move into turn three, getting physical to take the lead and score victory.

“I would have done the same thing Treyten did if I was him,” said Friesen. “But this year is my turn. Anything short of a win this year will be disappointing.”

Friesen is no stranger to historic wins at Ohsweken Speedway. He did the unthinkable in 2015, winning the Six Nations Showdown World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race. The win was his first with the prestigious Outlaws in only his fourth career start. It also marked just the second time a Canadian scored victory in the series’ illustrious 40-year-plus history.

Friesen will wheel a No. 19 Glenn Styres Racing (GSR) entry prepared by Wight Motorsports Incorporated, and his Sprint Car ride also comes out of the GSR stable.

“I’m confident both cars will be capable of winning,” said Friesen. “Glenn Styres has great equipment, and it takes a lot of stress away knowing I just need to arrive and drive the cars.”

The 2022 NASCAR Pinty’s Series dirt event was such a smash success that it led to an innovative summer Speed Week at Ohsweken for 2023.

Five nights of racing will thrill fans from across Canada and the United States, culminating in a blockbuster program on both Monday, August 14 and Tuesday, August 15. The Freshstone Dirt Classic for the NASCAR Pinty’s Series highlights the Monday program, with the second running of the Pinty’s 100 taking place Tuesday for the same cars.

Both nights also include the Sit’n Bull Tire Shootout for the popular 360 Sprint Cars, as well as the Action Sprint Tour for crate-engine-powered Sprint Cars.

“There’s never been an event quite like this,” said speedway manager Clinton Geoffrey. “We have five spectacular nights of racing included in just one ticket. Our Speed Week pass for $125 offers more value than I’ve ever seen.”

With campers expected to start rolling in days before the Speed Week events start on Friday, August 11, the five days of excitement will offer something for everyone.

August 11 is Friday Night Excitement featuring the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series, the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks, and the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks.

On Saturday, August 12 the action switches to two wheels when Flat Track Canada Motorcycles take to the speedway along with the popular Vintage Modifieds.

Sunday’s event puts the focus on the track known as the ‘Little O’. The Little O is a small track located in the Ohsweken Speedway pit area, and it will host the Northern Micro Sprint Nationals, where many of the nation’s future racing stars will get their chance to shine.

The Speed Week pass offers full pit access giving fans unparalleled access behind the scenes. For ticket and camping information visit www.NPSonDirt.com, but be sure to book soon as camping spots are filling fast.

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY ON GFORCETV
Can’t make it to the track or don’t live within driving distance? No problem! Check out all of Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement action live online for FREE on GForceTV. Just search for GForceTV on YouTube, OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY on Facebook, or visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com to watch.

Ohsweken Speedway Media
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About Ohsweken Speedway: Opened in 1996, Ohsweken Speedway is a motorsports complex and event centre featuring a 3/8 mile clay oval auto racing track and 1/6 mile clay oval Micro Sprint and Karting track. The facility is owned by the Styres family, and located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement racing program runs from May to September each year, featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Crate Sprint Cars, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks, while the facility also hosts weekly Micro Sprint and Kart racing on Thursday nights.