On Wednesday, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld a disqualification issued to Stewart Friesen and the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing team following last Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Friesen’s No. 52 Toyota failed to meet minimum heights on the front side of the car, which led to NASCAR issuing the disqualification. After hearing the arguments from NASCAR and the No. 52 team on Wednesday, the three-member panel concluded that the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing team was indeed in violation of sections 14.17.3.2.1.2 (Post-Qualifying and Post-Race Front Body Inspection Heights) and 14.17.3.2.2.2 (Post-Qualifying and Post-Race Rear Body Inspection Heights).
The Appeals Panel offered a statement in regard to its decision:
“The panel agrees that the team violated Rule 14.17.3.2.1.2.A. There was a part failure that is not known if it was intentional or unintentional, resulting in failure of the front ride height,” the statement read.
The three Appeals Panel members who weighed in on the disqualification of Friesen included Mr. Dixon Johnston, Mr. Bill Mullis, and Mr. Tommy Wheeler.
The disqualification being upheld is an insult to injury for Friesen, who, on Wednesday, was being transferred to a New York hospital, where he will undergo multiple surgeries following sustaining severe injuries in a brutal crash in a big block dirt modified event in Quebec, Canada, on Monday night.
Friesen suffered an “Open-Book” fracture to his pelvis, as well as a fractured right leg in the terrifying crash.
