🏁 Stewart Friesen Loses Appeal of IRP Disqualification — NASCAR Panel Upholds Penalty

INDIANAPOLIS — July 30, 2025 — Stewart Friesen’s disqualification from last weekend’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will stand. NASCAR’s appeals panel announced Wednesday that Friesen and Halmar Friesen Racing (HFR) have lost their appeal, upholding the post-race DQ that stripped the No. 52 Toyota of a third-place finish due to a ride height violation.

🚨 The Panel’s Verdict

In a formal statement, the panel explained:

“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 front ride height.”

This rule pertains to post-race vehicle measurements—specifically, that the truck must meet minimum height specifications even if a mechanical failure causes non-compliance.

The panel’s statement acknowledges that the issue may have been unintentional, but intent does not void the infraction under current NASCAR rulebook standards.

📉 What This Means for Friesen

Original Finish: 3rd place Disqualified Result: 35th (last among trucks that started the race) Lost Points: Critical stage points and championship implications Season Standing Impact: Friesen now sits deeper below the playoff cutline with just a few races remaining in the regular season

The team had hoped that their appeal—arguing the front-end height failure was due to a component malfunction during racing conditions—would convince the panel to reinstate the result or modify the penalty. Instead, the ruling reaffirms NASCAR’s zero-tolerance stance on post-race technical violations, regardless of cause.

🗣️ Team Reaction

While HFR has not released a new statement following the failed appeal, their earlier argument emphasized that the front of the truck passed pre-race inspection and met all regulations at green flag drop.

This case echoes prior NASCAR precedents: mechanical failures—even those occurring late in the race or without driver/team error—still trigger full post-race penalties if they result in non-compliance with vehicle specifications.

🔍 Broader Implications

The upholding of Friesen’s disqualification serves as a clear message to all teams:

Performance-altering failures are still the responsibility of the team—and penalties will be enforced even without proof of intent.

This ensures consistency and competitive integrity, especially as teams chase playoff spots with tight margins late in the season.

🏁 What’s Next?

Friesen and HFR now turn their attention to rebounding quickly. With the regular season winding down, every point is crucial in the fight for a playoff berth. The next NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event will be pivotal for the No. 52 team as they work to recover lost ground in the standings.

📌 Summary

Event

Details

Race

TSport 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park

Original Finish

3rd Place

Violation

Front ride height too low

Rule Cited

14.17.3.2.1.2.A

Appeal Outcome

Denied

Final Result

35th (Disqualified)

This marks another reminder that NASCAR’s technical regulations leave no room for gray areas when it comes to post-race inspections—whether by design or accident, the car must pass.