Cory Roper will drive the No. 62 Drydene Toyota Tundra for Halmar Friesen Racing this Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, according to SpeedwayMedia.com. This marks his second start with the team and his 50th career Truck Series appearance. The race, the Love’s RV Stop 225, begins at 4 p.m. ET on October 23. Roper aims to join an elite list of drivers who have won their first Truck career victory at this specific track.
The 49-year-old driver from Vernon, Texas, finished 34th in his debut with the team back in May at Texas Motor Speedway. He brings a solid history to the superspeedway, having posted a career-best third-place finish at Daytona in 2021. Roper has recorded three top-10 results and 16 top-20s across his 49 previous starts, with an average finish of 23.5.
A Second Shot at the Big One
Halmar Friesen Racing needs consistency to climb the standings, and Roper offers a known variable in a chaotic field. The No. 62 entry currently sits 16th in the owner’s standings, bolstered by four top-five finishes and 10 top-10s this season. The team has seen ten different drivers pilot the truck through 22 scheduled starts, including a victory lane celebration by Christopher Bell at Bristol in April. Roper is the latest in a long line of talent trying to make the No. 62 a threat.
Talladega is a unique beast where horsepower often matters less than luck and positioning. Roper’s best result at this 2.660-mile tri-oval is a sixth-place finish from 2021. He is now one of eight drivers attempting to secure their first Truck Series win at Talladega. To succeed in the later stages and seize a final opportunity, a balance of aggression and patience is needed as pressure mounts.
Why Experience Matters at Superspeedways
At 49, Roper is a veteran in a series often dominated by younger arms. His experience at Talladega could be the difference between a crash and a top-10 run. While the field includes many hungry young drivers, the chaos of the pack often rewards those who have seen it all before. Roper has already proven he can handle the speed, evidenced by his strong finishes at Daytona and his sixth-place run here in Alabama.
Drydene returns for this event, representing the team’s second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season start with that sponsor. This partnership shows a commitment to the No. 62 program despite the high turnover of drivers. The goal is clear: move the truck up the chart from 16th place and secure a win before the season ends. Kasey Kleyn and Leland Honeyman Jr. are set to drive the final two events of the year, but Friday belongs to Roper.
The Road Ahead for Halmar Friesen Racing
This weekend is just one stop on a short but critical stretch of the season. After Talladega, the team shifts focus to Martinsville and Homestead-Miami Speedway. The performance on Friday will set the tone for the final push. If Roper can navigate the pack and avoid the “Big One” that plagues superspeedway races, he could provide the momentum the team needs to close out the year strong.
Fans can watch the action live on FS1, the NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM. The Love’s RV Stop 225 promises high speeds and tight racing, typical of the Talladega superspeedway. For Roper, this is more than just another race; it is a chance to add a significant milestone to his resume and give Halmar Friesen Racing a memorable moment in 2026.
