John Hunter Nemechek Eligible for the NCWTS Chase
John Hunter Nemechek maneuvered his way through various melees, holding off competitors in a two-lap dash to the checkered flag to win the Great Clips 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway on Saturday, February 27. Nemechek started from the 18th position and led for eight laps en route to his first victory in his first-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was also his 10th top-five finish in 32 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts.
On Saturday morning Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, qualified 18th with a time of 31.371 seconds at 176.724 mph. From the green flag Nemechek began to combat a loose-handling Chevrolet Silverado. Crew chief Gere Kennon ordered adjustments on every pit stop, ranging from air pressure to wedge to track bar and a combination of all three adjustments, and was able to dial-in the handling to Nemechek’s preference. By Lap 20, the Mooresville, N.C., native was scored in the 21st position. Taking advantage of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ first ‘caution clock’ under yellow flag conditions on Lap 39, Nemechek came to pit road for four tires with an air pressure adjustment, fuel, wedge and track bar adjustments. The 18-year-old then began his steady climb through the field after gaining five positions on pit road due to quick service by the crew. Despite the uncomfortable handling of the No. 8 Chevrolet, Nemechek was able to maintain position. Nemechek worked his way into the top 10 by Lap 54. While in the 10th position, Nemechek brought his No. 8 Chevrolet to pit road for a scheduled service of four tires with an air pressure adjustment, fuel and a wedge adjustment on Lap 60. He was able to restart in the sixth place. Nemechek held position until the 20-minute caution clock forced another yellow flag with 24 laps remaining. Under the command of Kennon on Lap 107, Nemechek pitted for four tires with an air pressure adjustment, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Nemechek then claimed the second spot after gaining four positions on pit road. Two corners after a restart on Lap 112, a multi-truck incident unfolded resulting in a red flag on Lap 113. Nemechek then took the restart from the third position. A few laps later, the leader was involved in an incident to bring out the caution, again, at the 1.54-mile track. Nemechek chose the inside line for a restart on Lap 199 of 200. On a late-race restart with two laps to go, the 18-year-old came through the tri-oval to win the Great Clips 200, his second-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory, becoming the youngest NASCAR national series winner at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. With his win in Saturday’s 200.2-mile event, Nemechek claims NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase eligibility with a victory during the regular season.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take more than a month off, returning on Saturday, April 2 for the Alpha Energy Solutions 250 at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The race starts at 2:30 p.m. EST with live coverage provided by FS1.
Start - 18 Finish - 1 Laps Led - 8
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
(ON ADVICE FROM NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPION KEVIN HARVICK.)
“I've got to give a shout-out. I can't thank Kevin Harvick enough. I went and sat with him for about 30 minutes to an hour last night, trying to learn everything I could. Kevin's one of the best racers here at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, so I had to ask him.
“He's very good at conserving tires, and very good at winning races here, so to go and talk to him was very special."
(ON THE FUNDING ON THE NO. 8 CHEVROLET.)
“We have put in a lot of hard work with just a little funding and we’ve come out and contended for wins.”
#8#
About NEMCO Motorsports:
NEMCO Motorsports is a title-winning NASCAR XFINITY Series team owned by XFINITY Series champion Joe Nemechek. The team fields an entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with the No. 8 Chevrolet for driver John Hunter Nemechek, and an entry in the NASCAR XFINITY Series with the No. 87 Chevrolet for driver Joe Nemechek. Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, NEMCO Motorsports is a family-owned operation that has been in national NASCAR competition since 1989. For more information, please visit us on the Web at NEMCOMotorsports.com on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NEMCOMotorsports, and on Twitter @NEMCOMotorsport.
John Hunter Nemechek Atlanta Race Preview
NEMCO Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ... This week will mark NEMCO Motorsports’ second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at the 1.5-mile track. Joe Nemechek posted a team best finish of 10th-place at the Hampton, Ga., facility on February 28, 2015.
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 71 starts from five drivers, resulting in strong performances including two victories (Watkins Glen, and Chicago) and 14 top-five finishes, as well as 35 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 14.2 and an average finishing position of 12.4.
All in the Family … Joe Nemechek, team owner, has one win (2001), two top-five and six top-10 finishes in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 15 starts at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Nemechek also has 38 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts which include a second-place finish in 2002.
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 … Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing display located in the Atlanta Motor Speedway fan midway area for a question and answer session with John Hunter Nemechek on Saturday, February 27 at 8:45 a.m. (ET). Nemechek is scheduled to participate in an autograph session, located in the AMS Kids’ Zone (Fan Midway), with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday.
Georgia Peach … Atlanta Motor Speedway is a homecoming to communications director Courtney McGarry. Raised in Hampton, she grew-up around the local short-tracks and developed a lifelong passion for motorsports which started at the 1/4-Mile "Thunder Ring" at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Catch the Action ... The Great Clips 200 will be broadcast live on FS1 on Saturday, February 27 starting with the pre-race show at 4:00 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the second event of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule will air on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on FS1. In addition, the practice sessions on Friday, February 26 will be televised live on FS1 beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports’ Chevrolet Silverado at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 037 in the Great Clips 200 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team unloaded this chassis twice during the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, at the Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. On May 8 at the Kansas Speedway, the NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis qualified fourth and finished in the second-position with Ryan Newman.
Georgia on my Mind ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s first Atlanta Motor Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Speedway Stats: In 14 combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on speedways (tracks 1 to 2-mile in length), Nemechek has recorded one victory (Chicago), seven top-five and nine top-10 finishes. He has led for a total of 81 laps on NASCAR’s speedway tracks.
Race Rewind: Atlanta Motor Speedway … Joe Nemechek drove NEMCO Motorsports’ No. 8 SWM International Inc. Chevrolet Silverado to a 10th-place finish in the 130-lap NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 28, 2015.
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE (ON ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY.):
“I am looking forward to racing at the Atlanta (Motor Speedway) for the first time. I have been to the track a bunch as a kid.
“We had a good run with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the Atlanta Motor Speedway with dad (Joe Nemechek), last year. I am looking forward to improving on our set-up, and returning to an intermediate track – where we have proven success.”
färbe technik™ to Sponsor Nemechek at Daytona
färbe technik™, a leading global supplier of mobile product accessories, will join NEMCO Motorsports beginning with the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season when it will become a primary sponsor of driver John Hunter Nemechek and his No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado team at the Daytona International Speedway in the Nextera Energy Resources 250 on Friday, February 19.
The new relationship will feature färbe technik™ as a primary sponsor at the Daytona International Speedway and as an associate-level partner in all other NEMCO Motorsports events. The agreement covers the 2016 and 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons.
“An unparalleled range of quality products that reflect individual needs and lifestyles is what färbe technik™ is known for,” Nemechek said. “I have been using many of their mobile product accessories, and färbe technik™ is a terrific fit for NEMCO Motorsports. I am excited about the opportunities and thrilled to represent a company that is so passionate about the everyday user and the NASCAR fan, while boasting stylish designs and a high-quality product.”
The Kelowna, British Columbia-based company will use the sponsorship in consumer promotions, product launches and business-to-business opportunities.
“At färbe technik™, we are looking forward to our partnership with John Hunter Nemechek and NEMCO Motorsports,” Shane Broesky, CEO of färbe technik™, said. “Nemechek exemplifies our goals as a brand, and we are proud to be the primary sponsor of the No. 8 färbe technik™ Chevrolet at the Daytona International Speedway.
“färbe technik™ was founded to exemplify ‘Being Unique!’ It’s about color, style, dedication, excellence and the pursuit of one’s dreams. We believe Nemechek and NEMCO Motorsports share our passion, our goals and our style as we are proud to join Nemechek at the “World Center of Racing” and help him achieve his dreams. We wish him the best for the first race of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener at the Daytona International Speedway.”
In his fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, 18-year old Nemechek has logged 30 career starts, resulting in strong performances including a victory at the Chicagoland Speedway, on top of nine top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 11.9 and producing an average finishing position of 10.4.
In addition to his successful NASCAR Camping World Truck Series campaign in 2015, Nemechek was named to the 2015-2016 NASCAR Next class, and was awarded the 2015 Most Popular Driver for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
ABOUT FÄRBE TECHNIK™:
färbe technik™ is a leading global supplier and manufacturer of stylish and high-quality premium mobile product accessories. Obtaining an exclusive license to manufacture NASCAR branded mobile accessories in the categories of wall chargers, car chargers, cables, Bluetooth speakers, earbuds and battery case products, you can find the NASCAR line soon in grocery and convenience stores alongside färbe technik™’s iNation™ line across the United States. For information visit: www.farbetechnik.com.
Nemechek Scores Third-Straight SpeedFest Pro Late Model Win
John Hunter Nemechek kicked off his 2016 season the only way he knows how, with a win in the JEGS/CRA 125 at SpeedFest. This make it a three-peat for the 18-year-old driver who still has yet to finish anywhere other than victory lane in any JEGS/CRA Pro Late Model race he’s entered.
“Winning the Pro (Late Model) race was something special,” said Nemechek. “To win it here three years in a row and still be undefeated in the JEGS Series is something I’m really happy about.”
Nemechek set fast time in his Pro Late Model early in the day and, with the invert, started the 125-lap feature from the ninth position. He drove to the lead on lap 64 with a three-wide pass and held off a series of challenges on late race restarts to start his 2016 campaign off with a victory.
Soon after his Pro Late Model win, Nemechek climbed behind the wheel of his Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks No. 8 Super Late Model for the SpeedFest 200.
Nemechek raced towards the front of the field throughout the 200-lap event, taking the lead on lap 188. With two laps to go the battle for the lead heated up between Nemechek, Bubba Pollard and William Byron. Contact was made among the top three drivers in turns one and two. Nemechek paid the price from the tangle that started behind him and went for a spin from the lead that ultimately cost him a shot at a SpeedFest sweep.
“When it came down to it everyone was bumping and rubbing” said Nemechek, “And rubbing’s racing. We had the best car there at the end. On that final restart we got the jump and got out to the lead and, I don’t know, we got spun out. It is what it is, but if someone has to spin you for the win it’s kind of uncalled for.”
Nemechek restarted the final two laps at the rear of the field and brought home a 14th place finish.
Next up for Nemechek will be a return to his No. 8 Chevy in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
“I’m very excited,” said Nemechek. “We hired some new personnel over the off season, we hired a new engineer, and having Gere Kennon back as crew chief is exciting. Hopefully we start off how we ended the year last year, having finished four out of the last five races in second. Hopefully we can start off strong and go from there.”