GEAR TROUBLE SLOWS JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
NEMECHEK FINISHES 29TH AT MARTINSVILLE
NEMCO Motorsports was within striking distance of a top finishing slot before a bout of bad luck struck at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway this weekend. A broken rear-end gear relegated John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 8 SWM International Inc. Chevrolet Silverado team to a 29th-place finish in the Kroger 250 at the Martinsville Speedway.
Nemechek started Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at the Martinsville Speedway from the 16th position based on the results of the qualifying session earlier that day. Over the opening laps of the extended 250-lap event, the 17-year old driver worked his way up to the 12th position by Lap 30. When the first caution flag waved on Lap 35, crew chief Gere Kennon called Nemechek in for two right-side Goodyear tires and Sunoco Racing fuel, and Nemechek restarted in the fourth position, looking to continue his forward progression. Under the Lap 55 caution, Kennon made the decision to stay out and not pit the Chevrolet Silverado. Once the field went green on Lap 69, the 32-truck field stayed caution-free for over 70 laps, the longest green-flag run in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history at Martinsville Speedway.
Nemechek eventually fell back to the 10th position by Lap 120 reporting “snug” conditions, and the team put together a plan to improve the handling of the NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet. Relief came on Lap 143 when the third caution flag was displayed, and under caution, Nemechek pitted for four fresh tires, two cans of fuel and a tear-off. He restarted seventh and drove his way up into the sixth position by Lap 150. As the event entered its final stages, Nemechek and Kennon felt the Chevrolet Silverado was in good form as they chose not to pit during a caution on Lap 164. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year contender continued to work and made his way into the top five by Lap 173.
Nemechek was battling for the fourth position when, on Lap 174, something broke in the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado. With no forward drive, he slowed to a standstill at the entrance of the garage in Turn 3 to bring out the sixth caution of the day. A review of the equipment by the team determined that the rear-end gear had broken, and the team did not have enough time to fix it and get back out onto the .526-mile track. Nemechek and the NEMCO Motorsports team finished in the 29th position.
Start - 16 Finish - 29 Laps Led - 0
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“This weekend at Martinsville Speedway, I feel like we unloaded strong. We made good adjustments in practice, and making the personnel change over the off-season has helped week-in and week-out with our Chevrolet Silverado. Also, our communications skills are getting stronger.
“That was my debut of the season, and we did not qualify as well as we wanted to, but we made a charge to the front. I cannot thank our NEMCO Motorsports guys enough for all of their help. I am looking forward to the next event – at Dover International Speedway.”
JH Race Preview: Martinsville Speedway
SWM-NEMCO Motorsports
Race Preview
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News and Notes
Event: Kroger 250
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2015
Venue: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
SWM-NEMCO Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History at Martinsville Speedway ... This weekend will mark SWM-NEMCO Motorsports’ fifth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the .526-mile paperclip-oval track. The organization earned a team best of ninth-place at the short track with John Nemechek on September 25, 1995.
SWM-NEMCO Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History ... Since entering the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 1995, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization has logged 49 starts from four drivers, including one victory and five top-five finishes, as well as 23 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 16.0 and an average finishing position of 13.7.
Follow NEMCO Motorsports on Social Media ... To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, visit NEMCO Motorsports’ Twitter page - @NEMCOMotorsport. Also, follow the NEMCO Motorsports drivers on their personal Twitter pages - @FrontRowJoe87, and @JHNemechek. You can also “Like” Joe Nemechek on his official Facebook page at /NASCARJoe, and John Hunter Nemechek on his official Facebook page at /JohnHunterNemechek.
Meet John Hunter Nemechek … John Hunter Nemechek is scheduled to participate in an autograph session with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (ET) on Friday, March 27. Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing display located in the Martinsville Speedway fan midway area for a question and answer session with Nemechek on Saturday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m. (ET).
On the Radio … On Saturday, Joe Nemechek will be a guest analyst on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series broadcast on the Motor Racing Network (MRN). Nemechek will be joined in the booth by Joe Moore and Jeff Striegle. The MRN race broadcast starts at 2:00 p.m., and green-flag coverage begins at 2:45 p.m. (ET).
Catch the Action ... The Kroger 250 will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, March 28, starting with the pre-race show at 2:00 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the third event on the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule will air on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on FOX Sports 1. In addition, practice sessions on Friday will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 SWM International Inc. Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's SWM-NEMCO Motorsports’ Chevrolet Silverado at Martinsville Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 034 in the Kroger 250 at the Martinsville Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team unloaded this chassis three times during the 2014 season, at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park and at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. On October 25 at Martinsville Speedway, the NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis qualified 14th and finished in the 13th-position.
Paperclip Review ... This weekend marks Nemechek’s fourth Martinsville Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 21.3 and an average finishing position of 13.3 at the .526-mile track. In addition, Nemechek made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut on October 26, 2013 at the Virginia short track behind the wheel of the No. 22 family-owned machine.
Race Rewind: Martinsville Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek was well on his way to a top-five finish in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on October 25, but his solid run was derailed when he was involved in a single-truck incident on Lap 137 that resulted in a 13th-place finish.
Short Track Stats: In five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on short tracks (less than one mile in length), Nemechek has recorded two top-10 finishes, with an average starting spot of 18.2 and an average finish of 11.2 on these racetracks.
Virginia is for Lovers … Charles Moles, Transporter / hauler driver and tire specialist of the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado, hails from Floyd, Va..
2015 Debut … Martinsville Speedway will mark John Hunter Nemechek’s first start of the 2015 season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Nemechek will compete in a total of 18 events in the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado as he continues to share driving duties with his father Joe Nemechek, until his 18th birthday, when he plans to finish out the remainder of the truck series schedule beginning at Gateway Motorsports Park.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year … After graduating to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, Nemechek is competing for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the No. 8 Chevrolet. In 2011, Nemechek took home the Rookie of the Year honors in the Allison Legacy Series.
In the Rearview Mirror: 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Season ... John Hunter Nemechek wheeled the SWM-NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 in 10 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2014, including a fifth-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20. Nemechek’s starts in 2014 earned him an average starting position of 13.2 and an average finish of 10.4.
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE (ON MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY.):
“It is the 2015 season-opener for me, and I am looking forward to getting back into the No. 8 Chevrolet. We ended the 2014 season on a high note, and I feel like we got stronger at the end of the year. We made some major changes over the off-season, and I feel like we are even better than we were last year. At the October Martinsville Speedway event we had a good truck, so we are going to go back and try to build on that and have an even faster truck in race-trim.
“Martinsville Speedway is a fun race track, but you have to be there at the end. You have to keep all the fenders on it and be smart on where you put yourself throughout the race.”
Lady Luck Not on Nemechek's Side at South Alabama
John Hunter Nemechek had two cars capable of winning two races this past weekend at South Alabama Speedway, but lady luck wasn't on his side. Nemechek experienced overheating issues during the Baby Rattler on Saturday night before suffering a flat right rear tire while battling in the top-five during Sunday's Rattler 250, relegating him to a 16th-place finish.
The tough couple of days in Opp, Alabama have only left Nemechek hungrier for better results. The next time the 17-year-old will be behind the wheel will be when he makes his 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut.
Nemechek will strap back into his NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for the Kroger 250 NCWTS event on Saturday, March 28. Fans can tune in to the event live on FOX Sports 1 at 2:30pm ET. Stay tuned to www.johnhunternemechek.com for more on his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start of the 2015 season.
ALKAME WATER WELCOMES JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK AS A TEAM ALKAME AMBASSADOR
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 13, 2015)—John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 SWM-NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) for NEMCO Motorsports, has entered into a personal services agreement with Alkame Holdings, Inc. (ALKM) wholly owned subsidiary Alkame Water, Inc. to become the newest Team Alkame ambassador, effective since February 17.
Alkame Holdings, Inc. is a health and wellness technology holding company with a focus on eco-friendly, innovative, and patentable consumer products. The Las Vegas based company has developed Alkame Water, producing a patented technology and formula that alters the molecular structure of water to produce a combination of characteristics unique in the beverage industry. This advanced water treatment technology results in the ultimate health and wellness water, complete with natural antioxidants in a premium oxygenated alkaline formula that tastes great and offers more benefits than regular water.
"I’m proud to be an ambassador for Alkame Water and am thankful for their commitment to allow me to compete for wins on the track,” Nemechek said. “I look forward to creating a strong partnership with Alkame Holdings, Inc. and having Alkame Water in-hand to keep me hydrated throughout the NASCAR season.”
Through this new partnership, Alkame Water will be part of Nemechek’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events in addition to at-track activation. Alkame Water branding will be included on Nemechek’s firesuit and trackside apparel.
“John Hunter (Nemechek) is the best example of an up-and-coming athlete at the top of their game, whose sights are set not only on winning championships, but also on leveraging their celebrity and influence to effect positive change in the lives of others,” Robert Eakle, chief executive officer for Alkame Holdings, Inc., said. “We are extremely proud to have John Hunter join the Team Alkame and represent our growing brand within the NASCAR community around the world.”
Alkame Water kicks off the NASCAR partnership with Nemechek as a Team Alkame ambassador on March 28, at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
About Alkame Holdings, Inc. (ALKM)
Alkame Holdings, Inc. is a publicly traded health and technology holding company with a focus on patentable, innovative, and eco-friendly consumer products. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkame Water, Inc., markets and distributes micro-clustered, alkaline, antioxidant and oxygenated bottled water utilizing an exclusive patented formula and technology. Alkame uses this patented technology to create water with several unique properties which allow the body to absorb and utilize it more efficiently and help to achieve an optimal pH balance. This patented technology also increases the available oxygen content and absorbability which equates to more fuel for improved metabolic efficiency, a boosted immune system, and improved cardio respiratory function.
For more information visit: www.alkameholdingsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that Alkame will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the Company's contracts, the Company's liquidity position, the Company's ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Nemechek Hoping to Get Acquainted with a Rattlesnake at Rattler 250
For the first time in more than one month, John Hunter Nemechek will be back behind the wheel of his No. 8 Chevrolet Pro Late Model and Super Late Model this weekend at South Alabama Speedway. Riding a streak of momentum from strong Late Model finishes dating back to late 2014, the 17-year-old rising NASCAR star will be competing in the Southern Super Series season-opening Rattler 250 on Sunday, March 15, as well as the "Baby Rattler" Pro Late Model preliminary feature on Saturday.
“Getting back to the Rattler, I’m excited,” said Nemechek. “We should have won the Pro Late Model race last year and we had a good Super (Late Model) but ended up getting involved in a wreck.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Pro Late Model and Super Late Model this weekend. We’ve been working very hard on them trying to get them better than they already were at SpeedFest and at the (Snowball) Derby. We’re just trying to stay ahead.”
Nemechek captured the checkered flag in two of short track racing's most prestigious races, the Pro Late Model All-American 400 at Nashville (TN) in November and the Snowball Derby Super Late Model 300-lap race at Florida's Five Flags Speedway in December. He followed those victories up with a win in the Pro Late Model portion of SpeedFest at Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA) in January and a strong run battling for the win in the SpeedFest Super Late Model feature before being involved in an incident late.
Needless to say, the Mooresville, North Carolina driver has quite a bit of momentum and confidence on his side as he looks to add another prestigious Late Model win to his already impressive resume.
“I think that we will be up front,” Nemchek said confidently. “I feel like we will be in contention to be able to win both races. I have only run at South Alabama Speedway once and I feel like we have a good group of guys behind me.
“There’s definitely a little bit of confidence going in, but you can’t take anything for granted. You have to keep looking at it as, ‘Okay, this is our next race and we’re going to work on it harder to get better.’ That’s kind of how we look at it week in and week out.”
Throughout the weekend at South Alabama Speedway, which begins on Thursday with an optional practice session, Nemechek will be working with the team’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series crew chief Gere Kennon to dial in his machines at a track that he’s only visited on one occasion.
Nemechek’s only start at South Alabama Speedway came just one year ago at The Rattler. He finished third in the Baby Rattler (Pro Late Model) after leading 47 laps, but was then caught up in an accident while running up front during the Rattler 250. Despite the tough luck last year, Nemechek believes he learned enough about the track and the race itself to compete for wins once again this time around.
“You just have to be there at the end. You have to save your tires and save your equipment to the best of your ability so that you can be up front when it counts,” he said. “Last year was a huge survival game just trying to survive so you could be there at the end. This year I think it’s going to be the same way, but there are a lot of heavy hitters going down there. Whoever can save their equipment to the best of their ability and be there at the end is going to be the one winning the race.”
During his time stacking up wins on the Late Model scene, Nemechek has been able to experience some of the most unique traditions in short track racing. He has strummed the guitar at the All-American 400 and he has held the coveted Tom Dawson trophy at the Snowball Derby. But the tradition at the Rattler 250 is like no other. If he gets to victory lane, Nemechek will be greeted by an Alabama rattlesnake that will be put around his neck during post-race ceremonies.
“We’ll handle it,” Nemechek said with a laugh. “I’m not a huge fan of snakes, but to win the Rattler and have a rattlesnake wrapped around you is an amazing accomplishment. But most of my guys will be running the other way screaming like little girls.
“We’ll definitely stand there and deal with a rattlesnake for winning that race.”
For more information on John Hunter Nemechek, visit www.johnhunternemchek.com and follow him on Twitter at @JHNemechek.
Nemechek Starts Off 2015 With SpeedFest Victory
Mooresville, N.C. (January 27, 2015) -- After winning the Snowball Derby in December, John Hunter Nemechek had momentum on his side as he traveled down to Cordele, Georgia for SpeedFest 2015 at Watermelon Capital Speedway. Nemechek was looking to sweep the weekend, which included a 125-lap JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race and 200-lap ARCA/CRA Super Series race, at the 3/8-mile oval.
He left the 3/8-mile Georgia oval with a win in the Pro Late Model 125 and a 10th-place finish in the Super Late Model event.
The Mooresville, NC native was fast in both cars all weekend long, setting fast time for the PLM event and qualifying fourth for the SLM race (started second after the invert).
He drew the worst pill possible to decide the invert for the PLM race and as a result he started 10th with his biggest competition, Bubba Pollard, to his inside.
Nemechek would battle with Pollard as they made their way forward through the field and eventually into the battle for the lead.
"I've started from the worst pill-draw more times than not when I've been running Late Models," said Nemechek. "I knew we had a fast enough car to get to the front. It was just a matter of how long it was going to take to get there. Bubba started right beside me on the inside so I knew we were going to go through the field together. It was just going to be about who didn't burn their stuff up."
Nemechek won the battle after getting a great restart with just a few laps to go. He scored the win in the Pro Late Model race, continuing his dominance in that type of car dating back to last season, but Nemechek said the win definitely didn’t come easy.
"We worked hard for that win," said the NEMCO Motorsports driver. "The restarts were tough. Whoever was going to get by was going to win the race. Pollard and I have had some fierce, good, hard battles. We've done it for the past two years when I've been running Late Models against him so it was definitely a fun race. He made me work for it."
Nemechek and Pollard found themselves battling for the win again late in the SLM race, but the pair tangled and had to settle for top-10 finishes.
Even though the finish wasn't what he wanted, Nemechek is thrilled to know that his team's Super Late Model program is continuing to get stronger.
"We made major gains at the end of last year and the beginning of this year," he said. "We were definitely fast last year and we were in contention to win. We did everything that we needed to do as a team. It's almost gotten to the point where our Pro Late Model program is."
Now Nemechek and his team are focused on The Rattler 250 weekend at South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Alabama on March 14 and 15, and he'll be bringing both race cars once again.
"I definitely had a fun time racing down there last year," said Nemechek. "It was a new track for me to learn. It's definitely a unique track. We'll be looking to try to sweep the weekend again like we were at SpeedFest."