It had been five long years since the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series had last raced at Michigan International Speedway. The long wait was pretty obvious, as no one in the field had ever won at the 2-mile oval. Not even Matt Crafton, who was one of the very few with decent experience at the Brooklyn, Michigan track. Stewart Friesen was more than ready to bide his time throughout the 250-mile race. It all paid off for the driver of the No.52 Toyota, as he took advantage of some poor driving in a race that ended up needing multiple overtimes.
Stewart Friesen Shocks in Chaotic Finish to Truck Series Return to Michigan
The race got off to a quick start, as the pace was certainly high, while Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar quickly showed their speed. Nashville race winner Rajah Caruth had some very early trouble. He was forced to the pits less than five laps into the race because of a tire issue. It put him down a lap, and he would spend all of the first 30 laps fighting to get into a position for the lucky dog.
We’ve waited 5 years to say this again!
The green flag is out at @MISpeedway and we are live on FOX. pic.twitter.com/5YYdusH6yD
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) June 7, 2025
Caruth wasn’t the only driver who had issues throughout the DQS Solutions 250. But those problems didn’t result in incidents in the race’s first 60 laps. Which played out clean, as both of the first two stages went by quickly. The battle between Heim and Hocevar was certainly fun to watch as the No. 11 was able to not only win stage one, but he also beat Hocevar’s No. 7 for the stage two win as well.
Stages swept by @CoreyHeim_! 🧹🧹 pic.twitter.com/eqhOAVB2zI
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) June 7, 2025
Third Stage Turns Ugly
The start of the third stage was about to flip this race into chaos. After getting back in the hunt following the finish of stage two, Rajah was finally back on strategy. But before he could get things going again, the first caution for an incident occurred on lap 71. Jack Wood lost control of his No. 91 truck. That incident just led to more cautions as the third stage quickly turned ugly.
Caruth’s day ended in a wreck 11 laps later as he and the 42 of Matt Mills made contact in a three-wide battle with Frankie Muniz.
Big damage for Rajah Caruth! pic.twitter.com/MtX7Jw443Q
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2025
The cautions only continued from there as a battle for the potential win in Michigan was taking shape, between Hocevar, Heim, and Ross Chastain. The high-paced action came to a dead halt on lap 84 as local driver Morgan Baird and Nathan Byrd crashed hard in turn three. The wreck brought about a 19-minute red flag, as crews had to repair the outside wall.
Big trouble for Morgen Baird and Nathan Byrd! pic.twitter.com/Sbw5Xt6HIz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2025
What a Mess
That could’ve been the biggest moment of the race, but a restart with around five laps to go, the ultimate chaos occurred. A massive multi-car melee occurred on the front-stretch as drivers failed to cleanly restart, as Chastain appeared to spin his tires from inside, just to get cleared out by rookie Gio Ruggerio, after Heim appeared to try to give him a big shove. It turned a great race into a real chaotic mess.
Seeing that moment in person made it even crazier. It was the craziest thing since probably the ugly restart at Daytona during the Busch Light Clash, Erik Jones won in 2020. The moment felt like one of those moments where everyone involved forgot how to drive.
Well … that didn't go as planned. 👀
Big trouble on the restart! pic.twitter.com/SmOX82jLEQ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2025
Experience Pays off in Multiple Overtimes
The incident led to multiple overtimes, and all the trucks that looked like clear contenders, like Heim, Hocevar, and Chastain, were all but out of contention. That made room for the Truck Series veterans who haven’t won in quite a while to rise to the top. Stewart Friesen hadn’t won a race in 72 races coming into Michigan. The Canadian driver was the driver getting the last laugh in Saturday’s race.
STEWART FRIESEN WINS IN OVERTIME AT MICHIGAN! pic.twitter.com/lzNyk67OZQ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2025
The 41-year-old was able to hold off a hard charge from Grant Enfinger, who put himself in a great position to try and win this race. For Friesen, getting the win and locking himself into the playoffs just had to be a huge weight off his shoulders. Proving he can still get it done behind the wheel of a Truck. Sure, it took a lot of overtimes, but the win was a huge moment for Stewart, and you could tell in his post-race interview how important it truly was. Especially given he hadn’t won in over three years.
His first win in over three years (Texas, 2022).@StewartFriesen talks with @kaitlynvincie after his @NASCAR_Trucks victory in Michigan! pic.twitter.com/SAKMOCCx0F
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2025
Welcome back to victory lane, Stewart Friesen. Watch out for that 52-truck.
Read Next: Rajah Caruth Holds off Corey Heim for Nashville Truck Win
Main Photo: Meg Oliphant, Getty Images
Recording Date: 6/7/2025
