Stewart Friesen Earns Second Mr. DIRT Track USA at Lebanon Valley
Photo by Joe Grabianowski
WEST LEBANON, N.Y.—Since winning Mr. DIRT Track USA in 2015, Stewart Friesen hadn’t returned to Victory Lane at Lebanon Valley Speedway in 11 years.
He finally broke that drought Tuesday night, leading the final 27 laps of this year’s event to score his second Super DIRTcar Series win of the season.
“What a great racecar,” Friesen said. “We got some fresh smoke from Dan Bedell (Engines) for when we came to his home track, and it was definitely dialed in. It was really good in [Qualifying], we missed a little bit in the Heat Race and made some changes after, and wasn’t sure how it was going to go. But we hung right there with Alex (Yankowski) and Marc (Johnson).”
Yankowski, the SRI Performance and Stock Car Steel Pole Award winner, and Johnson led the field to green in the 75-lap Feature, with “Kid Rocket” gaining the early advantage.
The Covington Township, PA driver cruised through the first 20 laps, fending off any challenge from Johnson. However, when Yankowski caught the back of the field, it allowed Johnson to reel the No. 84Y back in.
Yankowski searched for the right line to keep Johnson behind him, while Johnson stayed consistent on the bottom. On Lap 28, Johnson found enough momentum to pull even with Yankowski as they entered Turn 1. But as they continued through the corner, Yankowski slid up the racetrack, opening the door for Johnson to take the lead as they raced down the backstretch.
The two cars continued to deal with traffic, which allowed Friesen to close in on the top two. It wasn’t long before Friesen used the traffic as an advantage, powering under Yankowski one lap later to wrestle second away.
Johnson’s lead continued until the race’s first caution on Lap 39 for Neil Stratton, which lined Friesen up next to Johnson.
When the race resumed, Friesen nosed out ahead through Turns 1 and 2 on Lap 43, but Johnson’s momentum on exit of Turn 2 was too much for Friesen as the No. 9 stayed out front. But while Johnson was doing everything to hold on, Friesen found a lane that suited his No. 44 car.
Friesen started entering Turns 3 and 4 on the outside, giving him a monstrous run as he exited Turn 4. With the momentum of that run, Friesen crossed over to the inside lane on Lap 49, staying even with Johnson as they entered Turns 1 and 2. But once they exited the second corner, it was Friesen who had the advantage, taking the lead.
It looked like Johnson might get another chance at Friesen on a Lap 53 restart, but under yellow, something broke on Johnson’s car, which relegated him to a 27th-place finish.
From there, Friesen bested Yankowski on two more restarts and held on to win his 54th Super DIRTcar Series Feature, one worth $15,500.
“I started showing my nose on the bottom,” Friesen said. “And got Marc to start running down on the bottom. I really got a good run off four and snuck underneath him.
“This is by far the toughest track we race on all year. I’m proud of my team.”
Yankowski crossed the line second, earning his third straight Super DIRTcar Series podium. He also moved to the top of the Series points standings, 13 points ahead of Mat Williamson, who finished 11th.
Despite leading the first 28 laps of the race, Yankowski said Friesen was the better car.
“We brought a good race car,” Yankowski said. “This motor is just rock solid and awesome. We’re really proud of that and what Jeff Murray has been able to do. I’m also proud of this alliance with Stew. I feel like he was definitely the better car tonight.
“Sometimes you just have to be happy with a second, and tonight is one of those nights.”
Mike Mahaney finished third, earning his first Series podium and first Series top five of 2026.
Matt Sheppard earned his second consecutive Series fourth-place finish, and Alex Payne rounded out the top five.
RACE NOTES:
JAM Performance Fastest Hot Lap Award: Andy Bachetti
Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux Quick Time Award: Mike Mahaney
Bicknell Racing Products Heat Race 1 Winner: Matt Sheppard
DIG Race Products Heat Race 2 Winner: Brett Haas
Wix Filters Heat Race 3 Winner: Mike Mahaney
The Greatest Store on Dirt.com Heat Race 4 Winner: Marc Johnson
SRI Performance/Stock Car Steel Pole Award Winner: Alex Yankowski
Behrent’s Performance Wearhouse One Lap to Go: Stewart Friesen
UP NEXT: The Super DIRTcar Series returns to action with a trek to Western New York to visit Ransomville Speedway for the Ron Martin Summer Nationals on Tuesday, June 23.
Mr. DIRT Track USA (75 Laps): 1. 44-Stewart Friesen[3]; 2. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[1]; 3. 35-Mike Mahaney[4]; 4. 9S-Matt Sheppard[6]; 5. 70A-Alex Payne[11]; 6. 43-Keith Flach[12]; 7. 6-Matt Stangle[15]; 8. 99-Kolby Schroder[9]; 9. 98H-Jimmy Phelps[19]; 10. 55H-Brett Haas[5]; 11. 88-Mat Williamson[25]; 12. 1-Tyler Dippel[28]; 13. 2-Jack Lehner[23]; 14. 44S-Kyle Sheldon[13]; 15. 74-JR Heffner[29]; 16. 2RJ-Ronnie Johnson[10]; 17. 29-Ryan Krachun[17]; 18. 15X-Justin Stone[26]; 19. 91-Felix Roy[24]; 20. 35C-Chris Curtis[22]; 21. 25-Erick Rudolph[21]; 22. 28-Michael Trautschold[27]; 23. (DNF) 4-Anthony Perrego[7]; 24. (DNF) 34-Dylan Grogan[18]; 25. (DNF) 11A-Kyle Armstrong[14]; 26. (DNF) 115P-Matt Pupello[30]; 27. (DNF) 9-Marc Johnson[2]; 28. (DNF) 74V-John Virgilio[16]; 29. (DNF) 87-Neil Stratton[20]; 30. (DNF) 4B-Andy Bachetti[8]
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