Daniel_Hemric

Daniel Hemric

Daniel Hemric

American racing driver (born 1991)


Daniel Hemric (born January 27, 1991) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Kaulig Racing.

Quick Facts Born, Achievements ...

After beginning his career in short track racing, Hemric moved up to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and raced full-time in the series in 2015 and 2016 for Brad Keselowski Racing. He ran two full seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing, reaching the Championship Round of the NASCAR playoffs in both years, before competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for the team in 2019. Following one Cup season, he lost his ride with RCR and joined JR Motorsports for a part-time Xfinity schedule. In 2021, Hemric joined Joe Gibbs Racing and won his first career NASCAR race and the Xfinity Series championship.[1]

Racing career

Early career

Hemric stands with his first go-kart at the Brad Keselowski Racing shop in Statesville, NC

A native of Kannapolis, North Carolina,[2] Hemric began his career at the age of five, competing in go-kart racing at the 1/5-mile Concord Speedway, winning 11 races and a track championship at the North Carolina facility before moving up to Bandolero car five years later.[3] During that time, he started doing his backflip celebration, which was taken from Carl Edwards.[4] At 16, Hemric moved up to Legends cars, and in 2008, he won the track's Pro championship, as well as the first of two back-to-back Legends Pro national championships.[3] In 2009, with nearly 60 wins in just under 80 starts, he maxed out his National Points early on the way to winning his second national Legends Pro championship, in addition to earning the Summer Shootout Series championship on the strength of six wins in 10 starts.[5] In 2010, Hemric won the Legends Million at Charlotte Motor Speedway, winning the largest paycheck in Legends car history, $250,000.[6]

Late in the 2010 racing season, Hemric made his debut in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour;[3] he would run selected races in that series and in the Whelen Modified Tour over the next three years, while in 2012 he ran a full season in late model cars, winning the Champion Racing Association JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship, scoring eight victories on his way to the title.[5] Hemric won the Summer Shootout Series championship again in 2013,[5] in addition to competing in the Southern Super Series late model championship,[2] driving the No. 98 Ford for Carswell Motorsports.[7] He also competed in the Blizzard Series late model tour,[8] winning the series' 2013 championship.[9]

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Hemric's No. 19 Reese Brands F-150 during practice for the 2016 Careers for Veterans 200 at Michigan International Speedway.

In October 2013, Hemric made his debut in NASCAR national series competition at Martinsville Speedway, driving the No. 6 Chevrolet for Sharp Gallaher Racing in the Camping World Truck Series.[10] He suffered early issues, finishing 32nd.[11] On November 2, he finished second in the 29th annual All American 400 late model race to Chase Elliott, winning the 2013 Southern Super Series championship by one point over Bubba Pollard.[12] In early November 2013, he finished 13th in his second Truck Series race, at Phoenix International Raceway.[13] Hemric made his third Truck start in 2014 for NTS Motorsports, finishing a solid 12th at Homestead.

In 2015, Hemric announced that he would compete full-time for the first time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with NTS Motorsports. Hemric drove the No. 14 California Clean Power Chevrolet Silverado and competed for the 2015 NASCAR Rookie of the Year title.[14] Hemric earned a best finish of fourth (Dover International Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) and ran as high as fifth in the NCWTS Driver Point Standings, ultimately finishing the season seventh in the championship standings.[15]

Hemric during the 2016 Media Tour

On November 3, Hemric announced that he would join Brad Keselowski Racing to drive the No. 19 Ford F-Series in 2016.[16] Hemric started the season with an 8th-place finish at Daytona. Hemric later majority of the races with many top 5 finishes but no wins. Hemric would make the Chase after being the highest non-winner points.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Hemric's No. 21 Childress car at Road America in 2017

On September 17, 2016, it was announced that Hemric would join Richard Childress Racing in 2017. Hemric ran the full Xfinity Series schedule and competed for Rookie of the Year, driving the No. 21 Chevy Camaro.[17] Hemric made his Xfinity debut at the 2017 PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona, which is where he finished 31st after being caught up in an early crash. He rebounded the next week at Atlanta, finishing 9th for his first career Xfinity top-10 finish. At Bristol, Hemric won the Dash 4 Cash. At Richmond, he won his first career pole and then scored a then career-best 3rd-place finish. At Mid-Ohio, Hemric would run in the top 5 for most of the day, bringing home an impressive and career-best 2nd-place finish. In the playoffs, Hemric advanced to the Championship Round at Homestead as the lone non-JR Motorsports driver.[18] Despite starting the race strong, he was eventually plagued by battery issues that dropped him 12 laps behind the leader.[19] He finished 34th and 13 laps down, fourth in the points.[20]

Hemric returned to the Xfinity Series in 2020, joining JR Motorsports' No. 8 car for a 21-race schedule and sharing the car with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeb Burton.[21] He recorded 12 top tens during the year.[22]

Hemric in the No. 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2021

Hemric moved to Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 Xfinity car for the 2021 season, marking a return to full-time competition.[22] At the end of the Atlanta race, he was involved in a fight with Noah Gragson after a pit road mishap during the race. Neither driver was reprimanded by NASCAR.[23] Despite scoring no wins during the 2021 regular season, Hemric made the Playoffs through his consistency. On September 25, Kaulig Racing announced that Hemric would pilot the No. 11 in 2022, replacing Justin Haley as he moved to Kaulig's No. 31 in the Cup Series full-time.

Thanks to his consistency, Hemric would lock himself into the Championship 4, alongside Austin Cindric, A. J. Allmendinger and Noah Gragson. On November 6, Hemric used a last lap, overtime pass of Cindric at the season finale at Phoenix Raceway to not only win the first race of his NASCAR career, but also the 2021 Xfinity Series title. Hemric's ten runner-up finishes prior to earning his first win tie him with Dale Jarrett for the most in Xfinity Series history.[1]

On April 22, 2023, Hemric was leading at a race at Talladega Superspeedway when he got airborne into turn 3, got ramped up by Riley Herbst, and crashed on top of the wall even taking out the turn four camera in the process. His car flipped onto its roof and finally got off of the wall heading into the frontstretch off of turn 4. Hemric was uninjured. His flip occurred in the same race as Blaine Perkins. In early September, Hemric would pilot the No. 10 for the rest of the season starting at Kansas as the car was in the Owner's Playoffs. Hemric was eliminated at the conclusion of the Charlotte Roval race.[24]

NASCAR Cup Series

In November 2017, Hemric practiced and qualified the No. 27 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series car of RCR driver Paul Menard at the AAA Texas 500 weekend, qualifying 21st; Menard was on paternity leave but returned for the race.[25]

Hemric returned to RCR's No. 21 for the 2018 season in addition to a part-time schedule in the Truck Series, driving the No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports.[26] On March 20, 2018, it was announced that Hemric would attempt two races in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the spring Richmond race and the Charlotte Roval race driving the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet.[27] In his Cup debut at the 2018 Toyota Owners 400, he qualified 22nd and finished 32nd, three laps down.[28]

On September 28, 2018, RCR announced that beginning in 2019, Hemric would be the full-time driver of the No. 31 Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, competing for 2019 Rookie of the Year honors.[29] The agreement came after a deal to drive Leavine Family Racing's No. 95 car in 2019 fell through.[30] Two days later, he drove another Cup race at the new Charlotte Roval, finishing 10th in Stage 2 and running as high as 2nd, but was caught up in a late-race wreck and finished 23rd.

Hemric's No. 8 Cup Series car at Richmond Raceway in 2019

On December 14, 2018, RCR announced that Hemric would be driving the No. 8 car instead of the No. 31 car for the 2019 season.[31] In his first race in the No. 8 at the 2019 Daytona 500, he drove a gold paint scheme to celebrate RCR's 50th Anniversary.[32]

On August 17, 2019, Hemric said he was "iffy" about his status for 2020, despite having signed a two-year contract with RCR.[33] A month later on September 17, the team announced Hemric would be released after the 2019 season.[34][35][36] At the October Kansas race, Hemric scored his first career Busch Pole Award.[37] He finished the season 25th in the points standings. Despite a disappointing debut season, Hemric won the 2019 NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors.[38]

In 2022, Hemric drove the Kaulig Racing No. 16 part-time in the Cup Series, finishing 12th at the 2022 Daytona 500 and peaking at ninth place at Fontana. On November 6, Hemric filled in for Ty Gibbs in the No. 23 car for 23XI Racing in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Gibbs had to miss the race due to the death of his father Coy Gibbs. Hemric was still at the track after the previous day's Xfinity Series race and was able to be fitted into Gibbs' car seat. This marked Hemric's first race with Toyota in over a year.[39][40][41]

Hemric's No. 31 car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024

On September 15, 2023, Kaulig Racing announced that Hemric would drive the No. 31 in 2024. This would mark Hemric's return to full-time Cup Series competition since 2019.[42]

Personal life

On July 28, 2015, Hemric announced his engagement to K&N Pro Series East driver Kenzie Ruston.[43] They married on January 7, 2017.[44] He announced in November 2019 that Ruston was expecting their first child.[45] Their daughter was born on May 9, 2020.[46] He announced in August 2022 that Ruston was expecting their second child.[47] Their son was born on December 23, 2022.

On September 4, 2019, Hemric established the Daniel Hemric Be the Change Scholarship with Rowan–Cabarrus Community College. The annual scholarship will grant financial aid to one qualifying student in the field of motorsports, welding, or mechanical engineering.[48]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold − Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics − Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

More information NASCAR Cup Series results, Year ...
Daytona 500
More information Year, Team ...

Xfinity Series

More information NASCAR Xfinity Series results, Year ...

Camping World Truck Series

More information NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results, Year ...

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

K&N Pro Series East

More information NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results, Year ...

K&N Pro Series West

More information NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results, Year ...

Whelen Modified Tour

More information NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results, Year ...

Whelen Southern Modified Tour

More information NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour results, Year ...

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

More information ARCA Racing Series results, Year ...

CARS Super Late Model Tour

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

More information CARS Super Late Model Tour results, Year ...

References

  1. "Joe Gibbs Racing's Daniel Hemric claims first Xfinity Series championship". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  2. "All About "Hotshoe" Hemric Archived March 28, 2015, at the Wayback Machine". Daniel Hemric official website. Accessed October 21, 2013.
  3. Crandall, Kelly (May 1, 2016). "Gaining Traction: Daniel Hemric". NASCAR Illustrated.
  4. "CUP: Daniel Hemric Wins Legends Million". Foxnews.com. Fox News Channel. July 18, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  5. Weaver, Matt (October 15, 2013). "Daniel Hemric's 2013 success began with creation of Southern Super Series". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  6. Corder, Chuck (September 19, 2013). "Five Flags Speedway: Hemric looks to sew up Blizzard title". Pensacola News Journal. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  7. "Hemric clinches racing series title". Independent Tribune. Concord, NC. September 24, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  8. Weaver, Matt (October 17, 2013). "Daniel Hemric, John Hunter Nemechek to make NASCAR Truck Series debut at Martinsville". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  9. Weaver, Matt (November 1, 2013). "Daniel Hemric to make second NASCAR Trucks start, looks to capture first Southern Super Series championship". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Nashville, Tennessee: Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  10. Cole, Nick (November 2, 2013). "Chase Elliott wins at Fairgrounds Speedway". The Tennessean. Nashville, TN. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  11. "Daniel Hemric − 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  12. "NTS Motorsports Unveils 2015 Driver Lineup; Fielding Full-Time Entries in NCWTS, NKNPSE and SRL". NTS Motorsports. NTS Motorsports. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  13. "RCR NAMES HEMRIC TO FULL-TIME XFINITY RIDE". NASCAR. September 17, 2016. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  14. Bruce, Kenny (November 16, 2017). "Hemric on underdog status in XFINITY Series Playoffs: 'I thrive on it'". NASCAR. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  15. "William Byron gives Dale Jr.'s race team Xfinity title". The Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Press. November 19, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  16. "2017 Ford EcoBoost 300". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  17. Estrada, Chris (November 12, 2020). "Daniel Hemric takes over Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Xfinity Series car". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  18. "Noah Gragson, Daniel Hemric Scuffle Post Race at Atlanta: UPDATE". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  19. Bromberg, Nick (November 3, 2017). "Kurt Busch to start first at Texas; 7 playoff drivers to start in top 10". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  20. Spencer, Lee (February 23, 2018). "Tanner Thorson stepping up to the NASCAR ranks". Motorsport.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  21. "Daniel Hemric to bring back No.8 in Monster Energy Series debut". The Official Site Of NASCAR. March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  22. "2018 Toyota Owners 400". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  23. "Childress promotes Daniel Hemric to Monster Energy Series, No. 31 ride". NASCAR.com. September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  24. "271 - Matt DiBenedetto: Racing For My Life". Player.fm. Dirty Mo Media. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  25. DeGroot, Nick (December 15, 2018). "RCR to run commemorative gold paint schemes in 2019 Daytona 500". Motorsport Network. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  26. Page, Scott (August 17, 2019). "Daniel Hemric "iffy" on next year". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  27. McFadin, Daniel (September 17, 2019). "Daniel Hemric not returning to Richard Childress Racing's No. 8 car next year". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  28. "Richard Childress Racing to release Daniel Hemric after 2019 season". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  29. Page, Scott (September 17, 2019). "Daniel Hemric will not return to Richard Childress Racing". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  30. Spencer, Reid (October 19, 2019). "Rookie Daniel Hemric bags first Busch Pole Award in Kansas qualifying". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  31. Page, Scott (November 17, 2019). "Daniel Hemric wins Rookie of the Year". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  32. "(Twitter post)". Twitter. Bob Pockrass. November 6, 2022. Ty Gibbs not racing today because of a family emergency. TBD who will race the car.
  33. "(Twitter post)". Twitter. Bob Pockrass. November 6, 2022. Steve Lauletta of 23XI said if Daniel Hemric can fit in the car, he will race the No. 23. He said they still have some work to do.
  34. "(Twitter post)". Twitter. 23XI Racing. November 6, 2022. 23XI driver update for today at @phoenixraceway
  35. "Hemric, Ruston announce engagement". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  36. McFadin, Daniel (November 29, 2019). "Daniel and Kenzie Hemric expecting first baby". NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  37. "Daniel Hemric, wife Kenzie welcome baby girl Rhen | NASCAR". Official Site Of NASCAR. May 10, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  38. Page, Scott (September 4, 2019). "Daniel Hemric establishes endowment scholarship at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  39. "Daniel Hemric – 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  40. "Daniel Hemric – 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  41. "Daniel Hemric – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  42. "Daniel Hemric – 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  43. "Daniel Hemric – 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  44. "Daniel Hemric – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  45. "Daniel Hemric – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  46. "Daniel Hemric – 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  47. "Daniel Hemric – 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  48. "Daniel Hemric – 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  49. "Daniel Hemric – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  50. "Daniel Hemric – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  51. "Daniel Hemric – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  52. "Daniel Hemric – 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  53. "Daniel Hemric – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  54. "Daniel Hemric – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  55. "Daniel Hemric – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  56. "Daniel Hemric – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  57. "Daniel Hemric – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  58. "Daniel Hemric – 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  59. "Daniel Hemric – 2011 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  60. "Daniel Hemric – 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  61. "Daniel Hemric – 2010 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  62. "Daniel Hemric – 2011 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  63. "Daniel Hemric – 2012 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  64. "Daniel Hemric – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  65. "Daniel Hemric – 2015 CARS Super Late Model Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
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