No. 4 Safeway Tundra Camping World Trucks Richmond Preview
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No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra Camping World Trucks Bristol Post Race Report
John Hunter Nemechek was relegated to a 39th-place finish on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway due to another competitor making contact with the nose of the No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra after he spun at the front of the field on lap 48. Prior to spinning, Nemechek was running in fifth position.
Nemechek’s lead in the point standings shrinks to six tallies over Toyota teammate Ben Rhodes.
Stage One Recap
With the qualifying races rained out on Saturday, Nemechek started from the pole position after a performance matrix based on based off of finishing position from the previous race, ranking in owner points standings and the fastest lap from the previous race at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. When the field went green, Nemechek fell back through the field to the ninth position. Nemechek radioed to his Mobil 1 crew that his Tundra was tight. After a slow start, Nemechek was able to recover to finish the opening stanza in the fifth position.
Stage Two Recap
Under the stage caution, Nemechek radioed to his crew that there was enough drive in his Tundra. Crew chief Eric Phillips elected to keep Nemechek out on the racetrack under the controlled caution, due to track position being key. Nemechek restarted in the second position. While Nemechek was running in the fifth position, Matt Crafton tapped the bumper of the Mobil 1 Tundra and sent the No. 4 for a spin. As he waited for traffic to clear, Derek Kraus spun, hitting Nemechek to knock the radiator out. Nemechek was relegated to a 39th-place finish.
What exactly happened there?
“I don’t know. Matt (Crafton) just flat-out ran over me, so that one will be in the memory bank, but we were fine. We didn’t hit anything and then towards the end of that whole deal, the 19 (Derek Kraus) – I guess him and his spotter both need a set of glasses, so I will have those for them at Richmond.”
No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra Camping World Trucks Atlanta Post Race Report
John Hunter Nemechek continued his momentum to start the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a third-place finish. Nemechek was able to score two playoff points by winning the opening two stages at Atlanta and extended his lead in the championship standings to 47 over Ben Rhodes.
Stage One Recap
Nemechek started from the pole position after a performance matrix based off of finishing position from the previous race, ranking in owner points standings and the fastest lap from the previous race at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. At the competition caution on Lap 15, Nemechek radioed to his crew that he was taking care of his equipment. Crew chief Eric Phillips elected to keep his driver on the racetrack under the caution. Nemechek was able to capture the stage victory by passing team owner Kyle Busch in the closing laps to score 10 championship points and an additional playoff point.
Stage Two Recap:
Under the stage caution, Nemechek radioed to his crew that he needed help running the bottom of the racetrack. Phillips summoned his driver to pit road for four tires, adjustments and fuel. After a speedy pit stop by the Mobil 1 crew, Nemechek would restart the stage from the race lead. With the second stage going green from start to finish, Nemechek radioed to his Mobil 1 crew in the middle of the run that the nose of his Tundra needed to be more off the racetrack to help with tire conservation. Nemechek would once again pass Busch to add another playoff point to his name.
Final Stage Recap:
Under the break, Nemechek radioed to his crew that his Mobil 1 Tundra lost lateral grip near the end of the run. Phillips brought his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. Nemechek would restart the final stage from second behind Busch. Prior to coming down pit road for green flag pit stops, Nemechek radioed that his Mobil 1 Tundra was free running the top lane and that his Tundra could be a touch tighter. Phillips summoned his driver to pit road on Lap 100. Nemechek would cycle back to the third position and would finish the race in the same position.
John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra for KBM:
Couldn’t quite out-do the boss today, but how was your run overall? “I felt like we were strong in stage one and stage two. I felt like we could hang with Kyle (Busch), and then we got around in him in lap traffic at the end of the stages. Solid points day overall for our Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra. I can’t thank everyone at KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports) enough and all of our partners for supporting this deal. Overall, I’m happy with the day, but I’m disappointed. I was hoping to beat Kyle today, but I didn’t have anything for him there at the end. I’ve got to go study some green-flag pit stop stuff and get better there. It’s always a work in progress. We will be back next week at Bristol dirt and hopefully go get us a win there.”
John Hunter Nemechek Beats the Boss to Win At Las Vegas
John Hunter Nemechek was able to hold off KBM team owner Kyle Busch over the final seven laps of the Bucked Up 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to score his first victory of 2021 and the seventh of his Camping World Truck Series career.
Nemechek led a race-high 94 laps. With his victory at Las Vegas, the 23-year-old driver secured the Camping World Trucks points lead. The talented driver and his father are the first father-son duo to have a NASCAR national series victory at Las Vegas.
Stage One Recap
Nemechek started in the third position after a performance matrix based on based off of finishing position from the previous race, the No. 4 team’s ranking in the 2020 owner points standings and the fastest lap from the previous race on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Road Course. Nemechek was able to capture the race lead on the first restart of the night on Lap 7 and would remain out front for the remainder of the stanza to score the stage victory, his third of the season.
Stage Two Recap:
Under the stage caution, Nemechek radioed to his crew that he was free during the run and needed more lateral grip. Veteran crew chief Eric Phillips summoned his driver to pit road for four tires and fuel. After a speedy pit stop by the Mobil 1 crew, Nemechek would restart the stage from the race lead.
The second-generation driver would hold the lead until Busch maneuvered around him with 12 laps remaining in the stage.
Nemechek would finish the second stage in the second position.
Final Stage Recap:
Under the break, Nemechek radioed to his crew that his Mobil 1 Tundra felt free and that lateral stability was needed. Phillips brought his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. Nemechek would restart the final stage from second. Nemechek would garner the race lead on Lap 68. At the sixth caution of the evening on Lap 90, Nemechek radioed that his Mobil 1 Tundra needed to be a little bit tighter. Phillips summoned his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. Nemechek would restart in the seventh position. Before the race resumed under green flag conditions, Nemechek was asked to take care of his equipment. After three green flag laps, Nemechek worked his way back up to the second position. After the seventh caution, Nemechek was able to secure the race lead again on the restart on Lap 104.
Over the next two cautions, Nemechek was asked to save fuel and take care of his tires. Nemechek was able to hold off team owner Kyle Busch in the closing seven laps of the race to score his first victory of 2021.
You won the race and beat the boss. How was that finish for you?
“I just can’t thank everyone at Toyota, Jack Irving (TRD), Kyle Busch, Uncle Eric (Phillips, crew chief) for this opportunity. It means a lot to me. Mobil 1 on board, coming back to the Truck Series, that was the plan, that was the goal. We came into this year with the hashtag here for wins and we are here for wins. I definitely think experience paid off tonight. We did an amazing job. I can’t thank Fire Alarm Services, ROMCO, all of our partners for all of their help. Thank you fans for being here. It’s awesome to have you guys back. I can’t wait to go celebrate.”
Once you were clear, what were you thinking?
“He was faster than me in stage two, so I really didn’t know. It was all about using our truck to the best we could possibly do, wrapping the bottom and taking the dirty air away. He had to run up and it created more lap time for him. Overall, it was an awesome victory. I wish my wife Taylor was here. Thank you for all of the support, my family, everyone involved. She had to stay home because we are about to be on baby watch. It’s awesome.”
How crazy were the restarts during the race?
“They definitely were. Overall, it was an amazing day. Our restarts were on point all day. Just a lot of fun and that’s all we can ask for. We’re here to have fun, we’re here for wins and we’re doing it.”
No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra Camping World Trucks Daytona RC Post Race Report
John Hunter Nemechek finished third in the BrakeBest Brake Pads 159 at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course. Nemechek was able to score his second stage win of the season in the opening stanza of the event. Prior to coming to pit road for the first time in the second stage, Nemechek ran out of fuel. The Mobil 1 driver was able to rebound and get a lap back in the final stage to finish third.
With his stage win, Nemechek now sits second in the Camping World Trucks driver’s standings just nine points behind leader Ben Rhodes.
Stage One Recap
Nemechek started in the fourth position after a performance matrix based off the No. 4 team’s final ranking in the 2020 owner points standings, as well as his finishing position and the fastest lap he turned during the Camping World Truck Series’ previous race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Nemechek was able to garner the race lead on the opening lap of the race after NASCAR deemed the race to be run under “wet” conditions. When the first caution fell on Lap 10, Nemechek radioed to his Mobil 1 crew that he was having slight trouble with the drive off the corners. Veteran crew chief Eric Phillips kept his driver on the racetrack. Nemechek would win Stage One.
Stage Two Recap:
At the stage break, Phillips would keep his driver out on the racetrack. Nemechek would start the stage from the lead. As the Mobil 1 crew was about to come to pit road to put on slicks, Nemechek would run out of fuel coming out of the bus stop on the backstretch. Nemechek would receive a push to pit road and lose one lap. Nemechek would finish the final stage in the 36th position.
Final Stage Recap:
Under the break, Nemechek was told to take care of his Mobil 1 Tundra and to get in the free pass position as the No. 4 team believed more cautions would be imminent. Nemechek would restart the stage from the 35th position. The break for the Mobil 1 team came on Lap 40 when the fourth caution of the night came. Nemechek was able to take the free pass. Under the caution, Nemechek was reassured that he had a fast Toyota Tundra when he was told that if he would have been on the lead lap, he would have worked his way up to the 14th position from the back of the pack. Nemechek would restart at the rear of the field in the 26th position. After a couple of green flag laps before the fifth caution, Nemechek would restart from the 15th position and be asked to make smart decisions. In the restart coming out of the sixth caution period, Nemechek went through the grass entering Turn One. Nemechek would work his way up to the ninth position before the seventh caution came out on Lap 43. Because he went through the grass on the restart, the No. 4 crew made sure there was no grass on the grille of his Tundra. On the restart on Lap 45, Nemechek worked the inside lane to work his way up to third before the eighth caution of the night on Lap 46. Nemechek was able to work his way to the second position before the ninth caution flew on Lap 49. After the third attempt at NASCAR Overtime, Nemechek would finish the race in the third position.
How do you describe this race and the last few laps?
“Very frustrating day. Had a really fast Tundra and led most of the race. Second stage, we thought we were good on mileage with the wet conditions and how slow we were. Ended up running out of gas. Just a mistake. Honest mistake. We win and lose as a team. Fought hard, got our lap back and got back to the front, made some moves and we did some things there on strategy that hurt us, but put us in a good position for that last restart. I just messed up. Go back and study and be better next time.”
No. 4 Fire Alarm Services Tundra Camping World Trucks Daytona Post Race Report
Despite being involved in a late-race incident in the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway, John Hunter Nemechek was able to bring the Fire Alarm Services Tundra home in the seventh position. Nemechek was able to lead 14 laps in his Kyle Busch Motorsports debut (KBM), score 17 stage points and earn one playoff point via his win in Stage Two.
Stage One Recap
Nemechek started in the seventh position after laying down a speed of 179.344 mph in a qualifying session held Friday afternoon. After one caution in the opening stanza, Nemechek was able to work his Fire Alarm Services Tundra up to the fourth position to score seven stage points to kick off the 2021 campaign.
Stage Two Recap:
At the stage break, Nemechek radioed to his No. 4 crew that his Tundra was tight in traffic. Veteran crew chief Eric Phillips summoned his driver to pit road for a fuel-only stop. Nemechek would start the second stage from the second position. On Lap 27, Nemechek was able to get the race lead. He would lose the lead for one lap before garnering it back for the next 10 laps. On Lap 36, the third caution of the night flew as Nemechek was leading. With the stage break approaching, Nemechek radioed to his Fire Alarm Services crew that he was tight throughout the corner. Phillips elected to keep Nemechek out on the racetrack for a two-lap dash to the stage end.
Nemechek would hold off the field to score the stage victory garnering 10 championship points and one playoff point.
Final Stage Recap:
Under the break, Phillips summoned his driver to pit road for tires, fuel and adjustments for the final stage. Nemechek would restart 15th.
When the fifth caution of the night flew on Lap 51, Nemechek was running in the 18th position. Phillips summoned his driver down pit road for a full load of fuel with the Fire Alarm Services Tundra returning to pit road with one lap remaining before green to top off with fuel. He would restart in the 25th position. At the sixth caution on Lap 62, Nemechek worked his way up to 20th. During the caution, Nemechek radioed to his crew that he may have slid his tires trying to avoid the incident. Phillips summoned his driver to pit road for fresh tires and fuel. Nemechek would restart in the 11th position. At the Lap 66 caution, Nemechek worked his way up to 15th and was told to stay out and to begin conserving fuel. He would restart 13th.
At the eighth caution on Lap 73, Nemechek radioed to his crew that he may have some damage to the nose of his Fire Alarm Services Tundra after making contact with the bumper of the No. 88 Tundra. After an assessment, Nemechek stayed out and would restart in the 10th position. While running in the middle of the lead draft on Lap 96, calamity ensued off Turn 2. Nemechek running on the outside line was pinched and made contact with the outside SAFER barrier. Nemechek brought his Tundra to pit road for the Fire Alarm Services crew to assess and repair the damage. Nemechek would restart in the 20th position. When the checkered flag flew on Lap 101, Nemechek was scored in the seventh position.
John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 4 Fire Alarm Services Tundra for KBM:
Solid start to your season, John Hunter. How was your race as a whole?
“I felt like our race was okay – or decent at least. I feel like we had a really fast Fire Alarm Services Toyota Tundra. We made gains through the weekend. I felt like we were pretty good right off of the truck. Eric (Phillips, crew chief) and all of the guys at KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports) gave us a really good truck that we could contend with. I felt good about our chances overall tonight. We stayed up there in Stage One and ended up winning Stage Two. In stage three, we did a strategy call. We took tires and it put us behind a little bit and never could get back to the front. I felt like we got trapped back there. We were making our way back up there towards the end and then we ended up getting caught up in the second-to-last wreck. It kind of sandwiched the truck, and I got tagged in the left rear and spun out. We had tires go down and damage. We started in the back on the final restart on the green-white-checkered. I was able to somehow get a pretty good suck going down the back and made it to the bottom lane in (turns) three and four. I got down and they all started wrecking almost to the tri-oval. They wrecked a bunch of them, somehow, we managed to make it through that without getting in the grass and wrecking and came home seventh. Overall, really solid points day. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year, and this is just a start of what we can do.”
No. 4 Fire Alarm Services Tundra Camping World Trucks Daytona Preview
John Hunter Nemechek will make his much anticipated Kyle Busch Motorsports debut driving the No. 4 Fire Alarm Services Tundra Friday night in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season-opening event at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
Nemechek is a six-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports. Across 102 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, the second-generation driver has compiled two poles, 609 laps led, 28 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 13.2. The North Carolina native qualified for the Camping World Truck Series playoffs in each of his two full-time seasons, finishing eighth in the championship standings in both 2016 and 2017. He was voted the series most popular driver in 2015.
The second-generation driver has made three starts in Camping World Truck Series action at Daytona, with a best result of seventh coming in the 2017 event. He finished 11th last year in his first career Daytona 500 and equaled that finish in the August Cup Series event at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Nemechek also has two NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the World Center of Racing, with an eighth-place finish in the 2019 season-opening event being his best result.
The 23-year-old driver produced three top-10 finishes and an average result of 22.4 while competing for rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020. He recorded a career-best eighth-place finish twice, both coming at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Race award four times and finished 23rd in the championship standings.
Eric Phillips returns to KBM to lead the No. 4 team this season. Phillips led the No. 18 team at KBM in its debut season in 2010 and helped build the organization into one of the premier teams in all of NASCAR before departing at the end of the 2014 season. Under his guidance, the No. 18 team won eight races in its inaugural campaign and became the first team in Truck Series history to capture an owner’s championship in its first season of competition. In 2014, the Illinois native led the No. 51 team to an owner’s championship and his team’s 10 wins spearheaded KBM to a single-season Truck Series record of 14 wins. His 37 career Truck Series victories make him the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, with 27 of those coming while at KBM. Owner-driver Kyle Busch collected his organization’s lone Truck Series victory at Daytona with Phillips atop the pit box in 2014.
Fire Alarm Services, a one-stop shop safety company with a proven track record of providing excellent service for over 20 years, will adorn the hood of Nemechek’s No. 4 Tundra for eight events on Camping World Truck Series schedule in 2021. Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, will be the primary sponsor for the No. 4 team next week when teams return to Florida take on the road course at Daytona.