If a person were to search for the definition of “whirlwind” in the dictionary, there is a good chance that it would include a picture of Kaden Honeycutt, considering the campaign he’s had in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Everything started perfectly fine for the Willow Park, Texas-native, after getting an opportunity to compete full-time for Niece Motorsports in the No. 45 Chevrolet. That was, until talks about next season came into the picture.
Informing Al Niece and Cody Efaw that he’d signed with another organization (of a different manufacturer) for 2026, Niece Motorsports swiftly decided to release him from driving duties, even despite being in line to make the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs.
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Honeycutt was left scrambling, hoping to find a ride for the final two events of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular-season in order to maintain his post-season eligibility. After finding a temporary home with Young’s Motorsports for Watkins Glen, things found a way to work themselves out.
While competing in a Dirt Modified event in Drummondville, Quebec, Stewart Friesen, driver and co-owner of the No. 52 Halmar International Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, suffered an open-book pelvic fracture and other severe injuries. With Honeycutt set to migrate to Toyota in 2026, this opportunity came at the perfect time.
The 22-year-old driver hasn’t just found a place to bide his time until that next opportunity, though; instead he’s found a legitimate shot at a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, which will culminate at a track that definitely suits his driving style.
“Everything happens for a reason, right? God’s been really awesome in my life and gave me a lot of opportunities and met the right people, who have shown me the right path to go on,” Honeycutt said. “Like I said, everything does happen for a reason, and I think the reason Stewart [Friesen] got hurt was for me to fill in and do the job right at home and show off how good his team is in these Playoffs that he wasn’t able to do because of his injury. I think that’s the reason why we’re here, for that.”
With a championship triumph on Friday at Phoenix Raceway, Honeycutt would be the first driver since 1968 (David Pearson) to win a NASCAR National Series title after driving for multiple car owners, and the first since 1963 (Joe Weatherly) to do so with more than two.
Needless to say, things have been chaotic for Honeycutt, especially in the second part of the season.
“It’s definitely been wild. I can promise you, I am very thankful I made the decision that I made. I feel like being with this Halmar Friesen group has definitely elevated their program and gave them a lot of confidence knowing that Stewart [Friesen] is going to come back and be ready to go with this group,” Honeycutt said. “I really didn’t expect to be in this position. I knew we were being in the Playoffs, but I didn’t know exactly how we would be on speed and if we actually had the contention to be here in the Championship 4.”
Corey Heim is, without a doubt, the favorite to clinch the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, but it wouldn’t be wise to count out Kaden Honeycutt and Halmar Friesen Racing — both parties of which have been strong at Phoenix Raceway in the past.
In three Phoenix starts, Honeycutt has never finished worse than eighth. Meanwhile, Halmar Friesen Racing (HFR) has been to Victory Lane at the one-mile oval, and has a statline including four top-fives and six top-10s in 10 starts with Stewart Friesen.
Is Honeycutt and Halmar Friesen Racing (HFR) the combination needed to hoist a championship trophy at the end of Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race?
