Photo – GRACE KRENRICH
It’s been a banner weekend for Daniel Hemric at Chicagoland Speedway. In Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Hemric earned a career-best second place finish in the No. 19 DrawTite Ford for Brad Keselowski Racing. A model of consistency in the Truck Series in 2016, with eight top-five and 13 top-ten results, the Kannapolis, NC native earned a berth in the inaugural Truck Series Chase.
On Saturday morning, Richard Childress Racing announced they signed Hemric to a multi-year agreement to drive full-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series beginning with the 2017 season.
“I’ve been watching Daniel for quite a few years now racing. He’s won championships in Late Models, Bandoleros, a little bit of everything. He set his career on the right path and I think he’s a young man that can come out and do a good job for us in the future,” team owner Richard Childress said on pit road at Chicagoland Speedway.
“I think he is a great spokesperson for the sponsor. He’s very talented as a driver and I think he’ll be good to work with all our other drivers as well.”
Prior to making his NASCAR debut, Hemric earned multiple championships across various Legend Car and Late Model series. He was crowned the track champion at Concord Speedway, recorded back-to-back Legend Car Pro championships (2008 and 2009), two Summer Shootout Series championships (2009 and 2012), Champion Racing Association JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship (2012) and the Southern Super Series championship (2013).
With his 2017 plans finalized, Hemric can put his focus on the seven-race Truck Series Chase and winning the championship for Brad Keselowski Racing. Hemric enters the opener of the playoffs next week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a lot of momentum after recording four consecutive top-three results.
“It’s a huge relief. Every driver knows that feeling of the unknown about going to the next year,” Hemric said on Saturday. “You like to think that it doesn’t bother you or that it’s not in the back of your mind but I can promise you anybody that’s had to worry about it knows how much it can wear on you and your body and your family. I’m excited to have it all laid out here on the table.
“Everybody knows what my objective is here to finish out 2016 and that’s to try to put a driver and owner championship in Brad Keselowski Racing’s shop.”
While clearly focused on 2016, Hemric knows that RCR provides a great opportunity for the future.
“Growing up in the Kannapolis, North Carolina area and seeing everything that Richard’s done for the community and what he’s done in our sport and to know the kind of family-oriented group that RCR as an organization is, that’s something that you dream to be a part of. I know Richard’s got my back.
“When I know it’s not taking away any focus (from the Truck championship) I’ll make sure I sit down with Richard and the guys to plan as early as we can to ensure that we can assemble a group of guys and get all the right pieces to the puzzle put in place that works best for myself and the organization.”
Hemric’s sponsor, crew chief, and car number is yet to be determined.
“All I know is that anytime you have a number and your name is above the roof that’s a good day. I’ll take that in stride and we will figure all the rest out as we go.”
Could the RCR organization be the home for an eventual Sprint Cup Series ride?
“I think so without a doubt. I know they have the platform to do it and like I said all the steps are taken into developing the other program, there’s no reason why I don’t feel like I can put my name in that hat here in the next couple years. Obviously just having Richard (Childress) and these guys support me and have faith in me, that’s a huge first step, right? So, we’re going to take with stride, try to make the most of every opportunity and see what the future holds for us together.”