NASCAR returned to the dirt for the seventh time at Eldora. The post-race interview, though, was a new one for the Dirt Derby.
As dad discussed what he was feeling following the coveted win, Parker showed it. Parker danced on the back of the No. 52 Halmar International Chevrolet. He grinned and made funny faces at the crowd. And at one point he turned his back and wiggled his butt at them.
“I don’t know where he learned that. Parker is unbelievable,” Friesen said of his son, who was diagnosed with autism soon after his first birthday. “He went from not saying a word a year ago and now he won’t shut up. You never know what he’s going to do. He’s just a riot.”
»» RELATED: Here’s the dirt
The celebration put the exclamation point on the Dirt Derby’s fan-friendly, back home atmosphere.
Prior to the race, drivers Chase Briscoe and Johnny Sauter stopped by the infield concession stand to grab a pizza burger, an Eldora classic, as if they were racing fans. A CareFlight helicopter provided the pre-race flyover as four horseback riders circled the track with flags honoring the United States, Ohio and POWs. American Legion Post 648 from St. Henry presented the country’s colors. The self-proclaimed world famous Eldora push truck drivers delivered the command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!”
Dave Blaney, the Buckeye Bullet, even won the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block undercard feature.
And somewhere in the crowd was Jack Hewitt, the sprint car hall of famer and Eldora legend. On Wednesday, the story goes, some NASCAR officials were late for a pre-race meeting. They were found surrounding Hewitt as he slung his crowd-pleasing stories just like he did the dirt back in his racing days.
As for Friesen, he rocketed away from runner-up Sheldon Creed on the restart with two laps remaining. He rode the high line around the unforgiving concrete walls to hold on for a 0.728-second victory.
“Oh man, thank you all the race fans that stuck with us and pulled for us. Man, I thought this was the week. This is the day!” said Friesen, who prior to his victory held the unenviable career record of having the most runner-up finishes (six) without a victory in the Truck Series.
»» RELATED: Sweet wins at Eldora Speedway
One of those second-place finishes came at the Dirt Derby in 2017. He finished third in 2018.
Friesen led the final 57 laps after inheriting the lead from Briscoe. The 2018 winner captured the first two stages on Thursday. He elected to pit after the second and give up the lead. Friesen, told by his team to follow Briscoe’s lead, pulled a slide job on his crew and stayed on the track.
The gamble on gas was aided by a lengthy caution from laps 142-148. Overall there were 12 cautions consuming 68 of the 150 laps. That Friesen has more than 275 dirt victories in modified and sprint cars helped, too.
Briscoe, another dirt ace who led the first 93 laps, dropped to 11th after the pit stop and finished seventh.
“They first couple of years where everybody was beating and banging on the walls, running into each other … that’s over,” Friesen said of the asphalt veterans closing the gap on dirt drivers. “Now we’re ripping the cushion like a dirt car. It’s awesome.”
Grant Enfinger, Mike Marlar and Todd Gilliland finished in the top five. Christian Eckes, Briscoe, Tyler Dippel, Tyler Ankrum and Matt Crafton rounded out the top 10. Friesen became the seventh different Dirt Derby winner in as many races. He also became the sixth different winner in the Truck Series this season and locked himself into the eight-driver playoff with one race remaining in the regular season.
“I’m more excited about the win. Right now it’s all about the win,” Friesen said. “You’re only as good as your last race. We’re locked into the playoffs and that’s great, but you’re only as good as your last race.”
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Ross Chastain, who entered with a Truck Series-high three victories, finished 12th in his No. 45 Chevy, which carried a tribute to Hewitt. Chastain’s ride carried Hewitt’s J.W. Hunt paint scheme. Prior to the Derby, the only dirt experience Chastain had was driving a tractor on the family’s watermelon farm.
If Friesen had his way then Chastain, who also competes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series, would have more chances to play in the dirt.
“Why not?” Friesen said of adding the other two NASCAR national series to the dirt mix. “I wouldn’t want to do too much of it and take the excitement from it. We’re doing ovals and road courses so why not throw one in there? Eldora is such a great track. Knoxville (Raceway in Iowa) is a great track. There are some very historical venues where NASCAR can have an awesome event.”
Parker Friesen would agree.
Racing returns to Kil-Kare
Kil-Kare Speedway will host the Champion Racing Association, Vore’s Compact Touring Series and Shadybowl Speedway regulars during a special event Sunday.
CRA, Vore’s CTS and Shadybowl teamed up to lease the Greene County oval to generate interest in the 3/8th-mile modified-D track. The features include a CRA versus Shadybowl late model challenge, CRA street stock feature and Vore’s CTS feature.
In addition, the Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club will hold a 50-year celebration. Spectators showing their DARF membership card receive $5 off the general admission price. They also receive $10 when registering at the DARF table.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for 12-15. Kids 11-under are free with a parent.
Practice starts at 1:30 p.m., qualifying at 3:45 and racing at 5 p.m.
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