Halmar Friesen Racing, the team for driver Stewart Friesen, has revealed important updates to their crew-chief lineup as they prepare for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. The team is expanding to operate two trucks full-time, which includes reassigning Friesen’s regular crew chief, Jimmy Villeneuve, to lead the No. 62 entry while Dustin Dunn steps up as crew chief for Friesen’s No. 52 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.
Major Adjustments to Crew-Chief Roles for 2026 Season
Dustin Dunn, known for his previous role as a race engineer with Halmar Friesen Racing, moves into the crew-chief position for the No. 52 truck driven by Stewart Friesen. Dunn has notably contributed to the success of the No. 62 team over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Jimmy Villeneuve will shift from his usual duties with Friesen’s truck to manage the team’s newly scheduled No. 62 camp.
Stewart Friesen shared his optimism on social media about these changes, stating,
“Continuity, growth, and a strong foundation for 2026. Our crew chief lineup is set as we expand to a full time two truck operation.”
Villeneuve also expressed enthusiasm for Dunn’s promotion, saying,
“I speak for everyone at HFR when I say how excited we are to see Dustin step into this role. Dustin Dunn has been by my side and he has been a huge contributing factor in the success of HFR. I’m very excited to see the great things that Dustin and Stewart will achieve in 2026 and beyond.”
Dustin Dunn responded positively to the opportunity, remarking,
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that Chris Larsen, Stewart Friesen, and everyone at Halmar Friesen Racing have given me to step into the role of crew chief for the No. 52 truck beginning in 2026.”
The 2026 season begins with the Fresh From Florida 250 at the historic Daytona International Speedway, where Friesen will pilot the No. 52 truck. Fans can watch the race live on FS1 starting at 8 pm ET or follow live updates on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Background on Stewart Friesen’s Recovery and Return to Racing
In July 2025, Stewart Friesen experienced a severe accident during a DIRTcar Series event at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec. His No. 44 car lost control after jumping the cushion at the end of the backstretch, struck the outside guard rail, flipped multiple times, and caught fire. Although Friesen avoided life-threatening injuries, he sustained fractures to his pelvis and right leg.
Friesen’s wife, Jessica, took to social media to acknowledge the safety efforts of dirt modified manufacturers and the track staff, posting,
“Thank you to the manufacturers who have made dirt modifieds as safe as possible, and to the track crew for their patience and hard work getting Stew out of the car.”
Due to his injuries, Friesen was sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 season, with Kaden Honeycutt filling in as the driver of the No. 52 truck. Friesen is expected to return to racing for the season opener at Daytona in February 2026.
Significance of the Team’s Expansion and Crew Chief Update
The move to a full-time two-truck operation signifies Halmar Friesen Racing’s commitment to growth and competitiveness in the Truck Series. By elevating Dustin Dunn to crew chief and reallocating Jimmy Villeneuve, the team aims to build on its previous success and establish stable leadership across both trucks.
This restructuring not only indicates strategic planning for the upcoming season but also underscores the trust placed in Dunn, a former race engineer deeply familiar with the team’s operations. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how these changes influence performance on track, especially with Friesen’s return after a challenging recovery period.
