RPW Exclusive: Friesen & Phelps Find Way To Short Track Super Series Podium At Utica-Rome

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – VERNON, NY – Both Stewart Friesen and Jimmy Phelps claimed solid podium finishes behind winner Matt Sheppard Thursday night in the Short Track Super Series’ Richie Evans Remembered 61 at Utica-Rome Speedway.

For Friesen, second was the best he could do on this night.  Starting 10th after the redraw, the Sprakers, NY native was able to drive his 44 up to 2nd. However, with Sheppard having such an outstanding season at the Vernon, NY track, he admitted that his car wasn’t the best on this night.

“We were a 2nd place car with the Halmar team tonight,” Friesen said.  “We made a bunch of adjustments before the feature.  Missed it just a little bit.”

Friesen steadily moved up and by halfway, had moved into 4th. After a lap 37 caution, he made a great restart to get past Jimmy Phelps and Mike Mahaney to get to second.

“Obviously, Matt’s had this place wired the last bit here,” he said.  “Proud of my guys and all our great sponsors. We’ll just keep trying. We got by Jimmy and Mike on that restart which was crucial to finishing 2nd. But we’re just 2nd best tonight.”

After making changes to his car after his heat, Phelps was able to finish in the final podium spot of 3rd.

“It was a successful night,” Phelps said.  “I have to thank the guys at HBR. We’ve been just real solid the last 2 to 3 weeks. I really think the car was better than me there.”

Phelps and Mahaney ran side-by-side for quite a few laps, but Jimmy just could not complete the timely pass.

“We had a really good race with the 35 there,” he said.  “If we could have just cleared him enough to restart in the front row, maybe we could have gotten another spot.”

Still, the HBR produced another solid run and was satisfied being part of the podium with the top two finishers.

“Stewart was good and Matt was excellent,” he said.  “There’s nothing to be ashamed of finishing behind those two. We just needed to be a tick better.”