Hemric Earns Eighth-Place Finish at Bristol Motor Speedway

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After an impressive debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) two weeks ago at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Daniel Hemric came into this weekend’s event at Bristol Motor Speedway looking to close the deal on the victory that previously alluded him and his NTS Motorsports team. However, Hemric contended with heavy late-race contact, ultimately resulting in an eighth-place finish at the ‘Last Great Colosseum.’

 

Hemric proved early in the weekend that his California Clean Power Chevrolet SS was a force to be reckoned with, laying down the third-fastest lap in opening practice and pacing the final session with the fastest lap. A blazing-fast 15.905-second lap in qualifying secured the 24-year-old driver the third starting spot for Saturday’s PittLite 125. Unfortunately, the No. 20 team was sent to the back of the field for the green flag as a result of unapproved adjustments, costing the California Clean Power Chevy precious track position at the 0.533-mile facility. Starting the race from the 26th position, Hemric had already navigated into the top 15 after 22 short laps. A great restart after a lap 37 caution allowed Hemric to jump from 12th into the eighth position, with the young driver never dropping out of top 10 again once he entered it. Hemric was scored in the seventh position when the field reached the halfway break, and he reported to crew chief Ryan McKinney that his Chevrolet SS was a little snug rolling once air pressures built up, expressing that he could use a little more lateral side bite. The NTS Motorsports crew provided Hemric with fuel and chassis adjustments before sending the California Clean Power machine onto the track for the second half. Following the lap 67 restart, the action on the track heated up, prompting constant three-wide racing. Hemric was running in the 10th spot when a slow competitor in front of him was holding up the No. 20 from progressing in the running order. Finally passing him on lap 113, that same driver made contact with Hemric, sending him into the outside wall. Despite heavy damage to the right side, Hemric was still able to pick up two spots and close out the wild final 12 laps in the eighth position.

 

Daniel Hemric on Bristol Motor Speedway:

“Today was an interesting day, to say the least. NTS Motorsports gave me an extremely fast California Clean Power Chevrolet SS and we were making great headway coming from the back. Once we got into the top 10, it didn’t matter how fast you were, if you weren’t in the right lane at the right time, there wasn’t a lot of passing. Track position is at such a premium at a place like this and you had to be really aggressive on the restarts and be willing to take it three wide. The entire second half of the race was wild. I cleared a guy coming off of Turn 2 and he just picked me up and drove me into the fence. It was a pretty hard hit; it knocked our toe in and completely changed the handling of my car. It’s a shame that some people have to race like that, but at the end of the day, I just hate that I didn’t get a win for these guys because they gave me such a fast car. I’m very grateful to California Clean Power and Bob Newberry for the opportunity to run this race. Even though we didn’t get the trophy like we wanted, I learned a lot that will help me when we come back here in the [NASCAR] Camping World Truck Series in August. I have no doubt we’ll be in a position to win the next time we’re here.”

NTS Motorsports PR

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