Hemric Scores Top-Five at Nashville, Moves to 2nd in Points
Venue: Nashville Superspeedway
FINISH: 4th
Start: 7th
Stage 1: 4th
Stage 2: 8th
Laps Led: 0
NCTS Point Standings Position: 2nd
Daniel Hemric advanced to second in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) point standings after a fourth-place finish on Friday night at Nashville Superspeedway. The driver of the No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet Silverado RST delivered his sixth top-five finish in 12 races and notched his sixth straight top-10 result, setting a new career high. Hemric tallied markers in both stages to earn 43 points on the night, his third-highest single-race total this season.
Hemric took the green flag from seventh position after weather washed out qualifying and set the field per the rule book. Following an early caution on lap two, Hemric’s long-run pace wore down the competitors directly in his sights. He restarted sixth on lap 11 and relentlessly pursued the top five and claimed the fourth position just before the first stage checkered. On lap 45, Hemric ran fourth to collect seven points before making this first pit stop of the evening.
The Gates Hydraulics team equipped Hemric with four fresh tires and fuel for the second 50-lap segment. Hemric restarted sixth on lap 54 but temporarily lost ground on the restart. After regaining his footing, Hemric was able to climb back to eighth by the end of Stage 2 to earn three points on lap 95.
A stout four-tire pit stop by the MHR team, along with fuel and minute air pressure adjustments under the second stage caution netted Hemric the fifth position for the race’s final restart on lap 104. The final 47 laps ran green and saw the Gates Hydraulics Chevy advance to third by lap 107. Hemric’s brief lack of grip limited him to run fourth, but closed on the top three trucks in the waning laps. Hemric took the checkered flag in fourth position for his fourth top-five result in the last six races.
Daniel Hemric Quote:
“I did a horrendous job on every restart up until the last one. My pit crew got us some spots at the end of Stage 2. We had a really balanced, pretty good Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet Silverado RST. Just not enough to go battle those top three. I was just fourth-best there that last run. You never know if you’re going to mix it up and maybe have a shot. I just hurt the front tires trying to get to them. Just needed a little bit. Proud of the effort. Proud of the No. 19 guys and cool to see Chevrolet get in victory lane.”
