Pressure Makes Diamonds: Friesen Tops Short Track Super Series Annual Visit to Delaware International

Written by Chris Moore

DELMAR, DE – Pressure makes diamonds.

For the fourth time in the last five years, Stewart Friesen topped the ‘Diamond State 50’ at Delaware International Speedway with the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.

The Sprakers, N.Y., native led all 50 laps, withstanding several restarts, to take the $5,000 top prize and his fifth career ‘Diamond State 50’ triumph in what was Round No. 3 of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region and the Ollie’s Overall Championship.

“The restarts had me nervous there for a little while,” an elated Friesen explained. “Our car was good, but I was struggling with (turns) one and two.

“Wednesdays are normally days I go to North Carolina for simulation (practice) but that’s not working too well,” Friesen joked. “I figured we’d throw that out the window and concentrate on the Modified a little bit more.”

Despite his struggles in the NASCAR Truck Series, Friesen is now two-for-two in STSS action in 2024, after claiming the ‘Jake Marine Memorial’ at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway back in March. He did not attend the ‘Speed Showcase’ at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway due to NASCAR obligations.

Friesen fired from the pole starting position of the ‘Diamond State 50’ following the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw with Covington Township, Pa.’s Alex Yankowski alongside.

With yellow fever plaguing much of the early going of the race, Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego was the driver moving toward Friesen.

After getting around Milford, Del.’s Jordan Watson for the final podium position, Perrego slid underneath Yankowski for the runner-up spot and quickly moved to second.

Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard was also on the charge early, after starting in the 10th position, Sheppard moved around Danny Bouc and Jordan Watson to get to fourth on lap six.

The race’s longest green flag run went from lap six through 23, with the lead four getting into lap traffic, allowing Perrego to close in on Friesen but the caution flag flew before Perrego could offer a serious challenge.

On the ensuing restart however, Perrego would have his best chance of the race.

Perrego outgunned Friesen down the front straightaway and beat Friesen into the first turn. It appeared as though Perrego would be able to use the top side momentum to drive off the second corner and take the lead away.

Friesen would not allow it, driving hard off the second corner to keep pace with Perrego down the backstretch and then clearing him entering the third corner and holding firm.

The restarts continued throughout the second half of the race, with Friesen up to the task every single time.

One of the caution flags was for a slowing Matt Sheppard, who forfeited the fourth position on lap 40 with rear-end issues that ended his night.

Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Matt Stangle, who used a provisional starting position, had a water pump failure after getting all the way up to sixth with just three laps to go.

At the end of the 50-lap battle of attrition, it was Friesen coming out on top.

Anthony Perrego settled for second in the Vinnie Salerno owned No. 4*, running out of gas rolling across the scales at the end of the race.

“There were a couple times I got alongside of him,” Perrego explained. “The top just wasn’t as good in three and four as it was and one and two and I just didn’t have enough to get by him.”

Elizabethtown, N.Y.’s Mike Mahaney slowly plotted his way to a podium run in the George Huttig-owned No. 35.

“Some of the guys in front of us got a little impatient,” Mahaney explained. “They got out of position, and it worked in our favor.”

Yankowski settled for fourth aboard the Tim Millman-owned No. 84y and St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson rounded out the top five in his first ever appearance at Delaware International Speedway.

Williamson now inherits the top spot in the NJ Quality Drywall Standings and the Ollie’s Overall Championship.

Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Pipersville, Pa.’s Danny Bouc aboard the Craig and Leslie Pondish No. 6 after racing most of the race with a flat left-front tire; Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr. who came from the 15th starting position in his Kid Racing No. 1; Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Ryan Krachun in his family-owned No. 29; Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown aboard his familiar No. 26 machine; and Harleysville, Pa.’s Mike Gular in the Terry Fasnacht owned No. 2A after pitting for adjustments mid-race.

Thirty-one STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds signed in for competition in the ‘Diamond State 50.’

Heat winners were Williamson, Gular, Tanner Van Doren, and Friesen. The consolation was won by Brandon Grosso.

In STSS Crate 602 Sportsman competition, Upper Makefield, Pa.’s Joe Toth led all 25-laps for the $1,500 victory in Round No. 3 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.

Toth, much like Friesen, answered the call on several restarts to claim the victory. Scott Hitchens, Michael White, Dylan Madsen, and Addison Meitzler rounded out the top five.

Payton Talbot crossed the line second but was disqualified in post-race tech by a carburetor infraction.

The STSS quickly fires back to life in busy May with the ‘Battle at the Bullring’ at Accord (N.Y.) Speedway. The STSS Modifieds go for 50-laps and a $9,090.90 top prize in honor of Barry Davis. It’s the opening Round of the River Valley Builders North Region and Round No. 4 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will also be on hand for Round No. 1 of the Madsen Overhead Doors North Region for a 25-lap, $1,500 top prize.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, FloRacing, American Racer, Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, BDR Speed, NJ Quality Drywall, River Valley Builders, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Saint Lawrence Radiology, Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, Bicknell Racing Products, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Madsen Overhead Doors, Belmont’s Garage, Wegner Automotive, DIG Race Products, ATL, Dirt Draft, Swagger Factory Apparel, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel LLC, Beyea Custom Headers, Design for Vision, Sunglass Central, Dirt Track Digest TV, DKM Fabrication, EIBACH, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Headers & Exhaust Systems, JK Signworks, JLR Technologies, Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Superior Remodeling, TV 12 Racing Products, VAHLCO Wheels & Wilwood Disc Brakes.

‘DIAMOND STATE 50’ RESULTS SUMMARY – DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024

‘Diamond State 50’ Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco NJ Quality Drywall South Region Round No. 3 Feature Finish (50 laps): 1. 44-STEWART FRIESEN[1]; 2. 4P-Anthony Perrego[4]; 3. 35M-Mike Mahaney[7]; 4. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[2]; 5. 3W-Mat Williamson[12]; 6. 6B-Danny Bouc[5]; 7. 1-Billy Pauch Jr[15]; 8. 29-Ryan Krachun[13]; 9. 26-Ryan Godown[14]; 10. 2A-Mike Gular[9]; 11. 58-Louden Reimert[17]; 12. 14W-Ryan Watt[8]; 13. 1J-Jordan Watson[3]; 14. 32-Brandon Grosso[21]; 15. 28T-Michael Trautschold[25]; 16. 7-Rick Laubach[18]; 17. 4W-Brandon Watkins[16]; 18. 6S-Matt Stangle[26]; 19. 9S-Matt Sheppard[10]; 20. 112-Cale Ross[24]; 21. 6D-Dillon Steuer[11]; 22. 27-Tanner Van Doren[6]; 23. 30W-HJ Bunting[20]; 24. 9N-Greg Nailor[27]; 25. 35C-Chris Curtis[19]; 26. 21W-Joseph Watson[22]; 27. 91-Carson Wright[23]

Did Not Qualify: J24-Justin Grosso; 74W-John Willman; 4-Bobby Watkins; 11-Danny Hieber

Ad-Art Sign Company Spec Bonus ($250): John Willman

American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificate): Ryan Krachun (eighth) & Michael Trautschold (15th)

ATL Fuel Cell ‘Hot Lap Hero ($100): Matt Sheppard (19.980)

Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Alex Yankowski (fourth) & Ryan Godown (ninth)

Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Mat Williamson (Redrew 12th)

Bill Brown & Company Overall Heat Race Hard Charger ($50): Louden Reimert (eighth to third)

Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Bonus (Oakley Sunglasses): Stewart Friesen (Winner)

Eibach Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Danny Bouc (sixth)

Elite Welder Training & Testing Halfway Leader ($100): Stewart Friesen
Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Louden Reimert (11th)

Kruger Trailers Hard Charger Award ($200): Michael Trautschold (25th to 15th)

PEM Engineering Third-Place Bonus (Quick Change Gears): Mike Mahaney

Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Stewart Friesen (first – $150 certificate); Anthony Perrego (second – $75 certificate); Mike Mahaney (third – $50 certificate); Alex Yankowski (fourth – $25 certificate)

Schultz Racing Fuel Cells Bonus ($100 Certificate): Mike Gular (10th)

Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($100 Certificate): Billy Pauch Jr. (seventh)

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Crate 602 Sportsman Belmont’s Garage South Region Round No. 3 Feature Finish (25 laps): 1. 9J-JOE TOTH[1]; 2. 15-Scott Hitchens[3]; 3. 43-Michael White[4]; 4. 89-Dylan Madsen[7]; 5. 29G-Addison Meitzler[2]; 6. 14B-Ethan Bill[5]; 7. 94J-Jordn Justice[8]; 8. 73H-Paulie Hartwig III[12]; 9. 69-James Hill[11]; 10. 97-Matt Smith[14]; 11. 02-Greg Humlhanz[17]; 12. 59K-Dakota Kohler[18]; 13. 51-Matt Peck[15]; 14. 94-Jacob King[19]; 15. 7J-Jarod Millman[20]; 16. 142-Justin Zook[26]; 17. 12-George Schweigart[25]; 18. 37-Chris Martinez[22]; 19. 4M-Logan Watt[10]; 20. 10-Adam White[13]; 21. 20-Ryan Simmons[21]; 22. 74-Jax Yohn[9]; 23. 59-Colin Cox[23]; 24. 41-Nick Van Wickle[16]; 25. 91-Luke Bunting[24]