Daniel Hemric Iowa Speedway 2016 Recap

Daniel Hemric (@DanielHemric) and his Brad Keselowski Racing team had a frustrating weekend at Iowa Speedway, struggling with the handling of the No. 19 Oakmont Management Group Ford F-150. 
 
After qualifying in the 18th position for the Speediatrics 200, Hemric could only make small gains in track position throughout the 200-lap event, ultimately finishing 15th at the Fastest Short Track on the Planet.
 
Laying down the 14th and 12th-fastest lap times in the weekend’s two practice sessions, Hemric advanced to the second of three rounds of knockout qualifying, which lined him up on the outside of the ninth row for the start of the race. After the wave of the green flag, Hemric found that his Oakmont Management Group Ford was free on entry and tight in the center and exit of the turns. Only able to gain two spots on the racetrack, Hemric was running in the 16th position when the first caution flag of the night waved on lap 44. 
 
Crew chief Chad Kendrick made the call for four tires, fuel and both track-bar and air-pressure adjustments, and Hemric returned to the track in the 17th position.
 
Going green on lap 54, Hemric found that grip was decreasing as the sun went down, and his Ford F-150 remained free on entry and tight late center and off. The 25-year-old’s next opportunity to visit pit road came on lap 104 following the expiration of the Caution Clock. 
 
Kendrick instructed the Oakmont Management Group team to provide four tires, fuel and another air-pressure adjustment to hopefully help the truck turn better. 
 
Unfortunately, when green-flag racing resumed, Hemric reported that his No. 19 truck was “plowing,” and he dropped from the 14th spot to 20th in just a handful of laps.
 
Battling the handling for the duration of the run, the Brad Keselowski Racing team had one final chance to improve the truck’s handling when an accident brought out the yellow on lap 148. 
 
With four fresh tires, fuel and another air-pressure adjustment, Hemric lined up 15th on the lap-157 restart. Unfortunately, none of the team’s adjustments to the No. 19 Ford F-150 seemed to improve the truck’s exit, which was the biggest hindrance for the driver. Hemric survived two additional cautions for accidents, but was unable to gain any additional track position, crossing the finish line in the 15th spot.

BKR PR