Hemric Aims to Replicate Short Track History at North Wilkesboro
Venue: North Wilkesboro Speedway
Events: Window World 250
Date: Saturday, May 17th
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Track Description: 0.625-mile oval
Distance: 250 laps, 156.25 miles (1:30 p.m. ET – FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network)
Run it Back at Short Tracks … Daniel Hemric continued MHR’s short track success earlier this spring and looks to run it back on Saturday afternoon at the legendary North Wilkesboro Speedway (NWS). The driver of the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet secured the team’s third-straight victory at Martinsville Speedway in March and will drive that same Silverado RST in the third year of NWS’ resurrection on the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) schedule. The annual stop in Wilkes County, N.C. is an opportunity for Hemric and his MHR teammates to further the company’s exceptional short track performance. MHR has placed at least one truck in the top-five in the last five short track events, dating back Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2024. Furthermore, an MHR entry has finished in the top-10 in the last 10 short track races, going back to Richmond Raceway in 2023.
On a Streak … Hemric and crew chief Josh Graham have found their stride in recent weeks and bring a streak of three consecutive top-10 results to NWS. A week ago, Hemric was trapped a lap down during a cycle of green flag pit stops but rebounded in the closing laps at Kansas Speedway by advancing from 19th to finish 10th. His current streak includes a pair of podium results in the last three weeks, and four top-five’s in the last six races. Hemric is zeroed in on outperforming MHR’s previous track-best finish of sixth at NWS, which occurred one year ago by the No. 19 team.
Season to Date … The NCTS regular season has officially crossed the halfway point and Hemric is in the regular season title conversation, third in the championship standings. Hemric’s consistent efforts have netted him the second-best average finish of all full-time NCTS competitors at 7.8. He has amassed four top-five’s and six top-10 results through the first nine events.
Tune In … Hemric and the NCTS competitors have a busy one-day show on tap, beginning on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET with practice and qualifying on FOX Sports 2. The green flag follows shortly thereafter at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Stay connected with the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care team by following @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmrnascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.
Daniel Hemric Quote:
On making his first NCTS start at North Wilkesboro:
“Three years later and it’s still incredible that we’re back racing at North Wilkesboro. It means a lot to race there and it’d mean even more to win there. I thought our night at Martinsville was really good, in terms of outright speed, especially winning, and I think we can do that again this weekend. There’s some things we can apply with our NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet this weekend and hopefully keep this short track streak going for MHR. It’s a long race, 250 laps. Brakes will be a big factor, keeping your truck turning and making sure you’re on the right tire strategy. Everyone at MHR has been working really hard during this six-week stretch, and it’d be great to reward them with another win.”