Hemric’s Season Opener Slowed in Daytona
Venue: Daytona International Speedway
FINISH: 26th
Start: 32nd
Laps Led: 0
NCTS Point Standings Position: 24th
Daniel Hemric’s promising genesis to the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series (NCTS) season was spoiled in the early stages on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). The driver of the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado RST took the checkered flag in 26th after regaining three laps following a black flag for broken spoiler braces. Following the opener at DIS, Hemric is 24th in the NCTS championship standings.
In the opening laps, Hemric was one of the biggest movers from his 33rd starting position, up 10 positions within the first 10 circuits. After crew chief Kevin Bellicourt called Hemric to pit lane under the first caution on lap seven to gain a fuel advantage, Hemric restarted 19th and employed the third lane to advance to 11th by the end of Stage 1 on lap 20.
The strategy ploy netted Hemric second position for the restart on lap 28 after staying out during the stage caution. He kept the NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet inside the top five to begin the second segment until being black flagged for broken spoiler braces. On lap 33, Hemric was forced to heed the black flag and pit to repair the braces under the green. The maintenance left him four laps down in 36th position.
Throughout the second half of the event, Hemric kept the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet out of harms way while still in position to regain laps. He took advantage of the Lucky Dog to regain multiple laps and found himself only one lap down before the race’s green-white-checkered finish. He took the checkers in 26th after posting the fastest lap of the race, and earning an additional point, to salvage 11 critical championship points during the second half.
Daniel Hemric Quote:
“It’s a shame to have a promising night get away from us. Unfortunately, we had to come down and reattached the brace under green and cost us a lot of time. Proud of this NAPA team for keeping their head in the game, managing the night and getting three of our laps back. Not the finish we wanted, but that’s 11 points we saved tonight. You never know where that might sort out when it’s all said and done. We’ll work on cleaning things up this week and go to Atlanta with some more speed.”
