John Hunter Nemechek will race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway driving a second truck for Halmar Friesen Racing (HFR), the team announced on January 27. Nemechek will pilot the No. 62 Toyota with sponsorship from DriveValue.com as HFR confirms it will field two full-time trucks during the 2026 season.
This opportunity pairs Nemechek alongside Stewart Friesen, who is expected to return to full-time competition in the No. 52 truck after recovering from serious injuries sustained in a July crash during the Super DIRTcar Series, which included an open-book pelvic fracture and a broken right leg, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Nemechek Expresses Enthusiasm About Returning to Daytona and HFR
John Hunter Nemechek shared his excitement about the upcoming season and joining HFR’s full-time two-truck effort. He said,
“I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel in the Truck Series, especially at a place like Daytona,”
and added,
“I’m extremely grateful to Halmar Friesen Racing and Stewart [Friesen] for the opportunity to drive the No. 62 Toyota. Daytona is such a special track, and any time you get the chance to compete there, it means a lot. I’m looking forward to making the most of this opportunity and having a strong run with the support of HFR and DriveValue.com.”
Halmar Friesen Racing Preparing for Expansion in 2026
The decision to run a second truck full-time in 2026 marks a significant expansion for HFR. Stewart Friesen emphasized the team’s enthusiasm about Nemechek’s addition, stating,
“I speak for everyone at HFR by saying how pumped we are to have John Hunter kick off our first season as a full-time two-truck team at Daytona,”
and highlighted,
“His track record and experience speaks for itself, and we all know he will do a great job competing for a win in the biggest race of the year. We also welcome the DriveValue.com team to the Craftsman Truck Series and are thankful for their support of John Hunter at the World Center of Racing.”
The expansion plan had been anticipated throughout 2025. Crew chief Jimmy Villeneuve indicated in a late-season SiriusXM interview that the team was aiming to operate two full-time trucks in 2026, and this announcement officially confirms those plans.
History of the No. 62 Truck and Driver Lineup Ahead of Full-Time Run
In 2025, the HFR No. 62 truck participated in six events, with drivers Wesley Slimp, Cole Butcher, and Michael Christopher Jr. splitting time behind the wheel. Slimp delivered the truck’s strongest performance with a 12th-place finish at Watkins Glen International just after Friesen’s crash.
Currently, no other drivers beyond John Hunter Nemechek have been named to the No. 62 for the upcoming full-time schedule.
Nemechek’s Career and Current NASCAR Commitments
John Hunter Nemechek enters this role as a 13-time winner in the Truck Series. His last Truck Series races were in 2023, where he filled in for Taylor Gray at TRICON Garage until Gray reached the eligible age to compete full-time. Alongside his Truck Series involvement, Nemechek is also preparing for his third full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series with Legacy Motor Club.
Implications for the Team and the Series Moving Forward
HFR’s move to a two-truck operation in 2026, led by a seasoned driver like Nemechek, could boost their competitiveness and presence in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With Friesen’s recovery progressing and Nemechek bringing experience and recent success, the team aims to become a strong contender, especially at marquee events like Daytona.
This development also reflects the growing momentum in the series, welcomed by fans and sponsors such as DriveValue.com, who are now backing talented drivers at a key venue known as the “World Center of Racing.”
