By David Morgan, Associate Editor
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kaden Honeycutt has certainly had a unique path to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway and now sits on the cusp of possibly being able to bring home the championship in his first appearance in the title race.
Honeycutt started the season behind the wheel of the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports, where he drove for the first 16 races of the season and would find himself sixth in points on the precipice of a berth in the Playoffs, but after that race at Indianapolis Raceway Park, everything changed.
With Honeycutt signing with a Toyota based team for 2026, Niece pulled the plug on Honeycutt’s season, releasing him from the team with two races remaining in the regular season.
After a one-off ride with Youngs Motorsports the following week at Watkins Glen, a call would come to shift the trajectory of his season even further.
Stewart Friesen, who drives and co-owns the Halmar Friesen Racing in the Truck Series, was seriously injured in a big block modified race in Canada at the end of July, leaving him unable to finish out the 2025 season.
The call came down to have Honeycutt take over and drive the No. 52 Toyota for the remainder of the season and battle for both the driver’s championship and owner’s championship.
Though it was a slog through the Playoffs just to get to Phoenix, Honeycutt came through in the clutch last weekend at Martinsville, securing his spot in the Championship 4 by just one point over Layne Riggs.
Now it’s all about going out and getting it done on Friday night.
“It’s definitely been wild,” said Honeycutt. “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, co-owner) is going to come back and be ready to go with this group.
“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. Definitely been a range of motion for sure but all of those emotions have just been very happy on probably everything’s been going. Very fortunate that we get to go and do what we’re doing right now.”
Honeycutt added that even though it was an unconventional path that got him to Phoenix with a shot at the championship, he felt that he’s right where he’s supposed to be with the No. 52 team looking to deliver them a trophy.
“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,” said Honeycutt.
“Like I said, everything does happen for a reason and I think the reason when Stewart (Friesen, co-owner) got hurt was for me to fill in and do the job right home and show off how good his team is in this Playoff that he wasn’t able to do because of his injury. I think that’s the reason why we’re here for that.”
He went on to say that should he be able to hoist the championship trophy on Friday night, it will be for Friesen and HFR and him being the driver behind the wheel to do it will just be an added bonus.
“It would mean everything. When I first started the Playoffs, I told everybody that this run was for Stewart (Friesen, co-owner) and HFR (Halmar-Friesen Racing) only,” said Honeycutt.
“Me winning the (drivers’) championship would just be a plus. I feel like this would be amazing for him and obviously pay out. It would mean a lot for them. We’re just going to focus on trying to win the race because I think that would be the solidifying moment for us to win it all.”
Honeycutt will have his work cut out for him going up against Corey Heim, who has dominated the season with 11 wins, defending series champion Ty Majeski, and Tyler Ankrum, but he explained that flying in under the radar could definitely be an asset for the No. 52 team on Friday night.
“Absolutely, because when it comes about, and at the end of the race you’re wondering where the No. 52 is at and then you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s actually beating the other three (in the Championship 4),’ and no one would really expect that,” said Honeycutt. “But yeah, I feel like we’ve had speed all of this whole Playoff season and I don’t expect anything different [Friday]. I think it’d just be an unbelievable story, especially for this team.
“I said when we started the Playoffs, this is for Stewart Friesen, his whole family and everyone at that team and me winning in the championship would be just be a cherry on top. This is for his team and Toyota to the show the thanks for letting me finish because they certainly didn’t have to.”
