Nemechek Makes It Two in a Row With Truck Win at Iowa
By Rob Gray, NASCAR Wire Service
NEWTON, Iowa — With six laps to go, John Hunter Nemechek made his bold, last-gasp move.
Again.
Nemechek, who charged to a Father’s Day win for his dad, Joe, last week at Gateway Motorsports Park, reprised his stirring comeback role in Friday’s pulse-pounding NASCAR Camping World Series M&M’s 200 presented by Casey's General Store at Iowa Speedway.
"Every one of these guys who works on this team, this is awesome," said John Hunter Nemechek, who passed Johnny Sauter on the high-side with six circuits left.
The dramatic ending to a race that ran remarkably clean for most of the first two stages was set up by an incident involving ThorSport teammates Grant Enfinger and Matt Crafton with 15 laps to go.
Nemechek and all the other contenders — except for Sauter — used the caution to head to pit road. Nemechek’s crew chief, Gere Kennon, outfitted the No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet with four fresh tires.
Sound strategy?
Sure.
The reason the team won?
Not necessarily.
"He drove his butt off tonight," Kennon said of Nemechek, who had notched one top-10 finish previously at Iowa. "He was awesome. It’s awesome for the (Nemechek) family."
Sauter settled for second after leading for 72 laps. The series points leader said being passed by Chase Briscoe — who led seven laps before sliding to seventh — had likely already relegated him to a second-at-best finish.
"I got taken to school by Chase Briscoe," Sauter said. "I think tonight was a second-place finish regardless."
Sauter retains a 42-point lead over Christopher Bell, who finished fifth after dominating roughly two-thirds of the race.
Nemechek notched his fifth career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win. He stood in the fourth position when he and several others emerged from that final, fateful pit stop.
"Somehow it all worked out," Nemechek said. "The last strategy call, taking four tires instead of two, there at the end, we kind of had that strategy if a caution came out towards the end we were going to come no matter what, and no matter who came, just because tires were such a big factor."
Noah Gragson earned the pole — his second of the season — held off Bell for the first 16 laps. Bell rode the high-line to surge ahead one lap later. The Kyle Busch Motorsports teammates remained 1-2 the remainder of the 60-lap opening stage, which Bell won by building a 3.2-seconds lead by the time the stint ended.
"Drove like a dream," Bell said at the time.
That blissful state lingered for the 22-year-old Oklahoman — until it was interrupted.
While the trucks directly behind Bell shuffled, his No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota continued to shine.
But dreams of any type rarely last long and Bell saw his diminished by a gamble that didn’t pay off.
With eight laps remaining in the second stage, Bell stayed on the race track while most of the other leaders pitted and added fresh tires following a caution precipitated by Mike Senica’s spin in Turn 2.
The gamble cost him. Sauter swept high to pass Bell with five laps remaining in stage two, but another caution waved after an incident involving Kaz Grala, Cody Coughlin and Ben Rhodes.
Bell remained optimistic despite his rapid drop to 12th that preceded the final stage.
"It wouldn’t be fun if it was easy," Bell said shortly before the race resumed.
Friday proved to be anything but — for everyone but the Nemecheks, who reveled in another dream-like Victory Lane celebration after spending all night getting the truck ready.
"It feels really good," said Nemechek, who earned the pole at Iowa last season and felt a measure of redemption after surging to the win this time. "This is unbelievable for sure. … Restarting fourth there and pushing Johnny into Turn 1, I was kind of in the catbird seat."
Nemechek Scores 'Incredible' NCWTS Victory at Gateway
By Matt Crossman - NASCAR Wire Service
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - "Happy Father’s Day!" a crew member shouted at team owner Joe Nemechek Saturday night as track workers put together the Victory Lane stage behind them. Nemechek had already passed out a half dozen hugs and handshakes to other members of the team he owns, NEMCO Motorsports. "Incredible," was all Nemechek could muster in response after watching his son, John Hunter Nemechek, pass Matt Crafton late in the race and win the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series Drivin' for Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
It was the fourth win of John Hunter’s trucks series career, all of them driving for his father. But it was the first in which his father was also a participant. The win puts John Hunter Nemechek in elite company. Other sons to win a NASCAR national series race against their father include Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Davey Allison and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The elder Nemechek completed just two laps and finished 28th out of 30 cars and watched the rest of the race from atop his son’s pit box. As the laps wound down, he tried, not terribly successfully, to remain calm as his son diced through the front of the field. He keyed the mic a couple times and told his son, "Be smart."
It was advice the younger Nemechek took to heart. His trucks have been far faster than his results have shown so far this season, and the last thing he wanted to do was be impatient and drive himself out of a good finish. He crashed in the two previous races and had only finished on the lead lap twice all season.
John Hunter Nemechek led all 35 laps of the first stage of the race and 46 overall. Chase Briscoe led all of the second stage. Matt Crafton seized control of the race when he took zero tires on a green flag pit stop at Lap 138 of 160.
The first and only caution that wasn’t related to the end of a stage didn’t come until there were 13 laps left—an unusually long stretch of green flag racing considering how difficult of a track Gateway is to navigate. The caution bunched the field back up, and Nemechek, who had two fresher tires, squeezed by Crafton for the final time with five to go.
"I felt like we had the truck to beat if we had track position," Nemechek said. "Track position was everything. Clean air was everything."
When John Hunter pulled into Victory Lane, his dad ran over and stuck his head in the window. They shared a moment about all of the struggles they overcame together to win this race on Father’s Day eve. They can't outspend other teams, so they have to out think and out drive them.
"It’s taken everything that I have to get here," Joe Nemechek said. "Our future in this deal is not certain. Hopefully this can spark some interest in sponsorship."
Joe knew his son would be emotional in Victory Lane, and he wanted to tell him he was proud of him before the chaos of the celebration began. "He’s the man. He drove his butt off tonight," he said.
John Hunter’s emotions poured out in the post-race celebration. "To give him a Father’s Day gift, something like this, is very special. As a boss, as a mentor, as a dad, pretty much everything he is to me, it’s definitely inspiring. I won’t ever be able to thank him enough."
John Hunter Nemechek NCWTS Dover Race Preview
Date: Friday, June 2, 2017
Venue: Dover (Del.) International Speedway
NEMCO Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History at the Dover International Speedway ... This weekend will mark NEMCO Motorsports’ fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the 1-mile concrete oval track. The organization earned a team best finish of sixth-place at the Dover, Del.,-facility with John Hunter Nemechek on May 30, 2014. Three starts at the Dover International Speedway have earned NEMCO Motorsports an average starting position of 10.7 and an average finish of 14.3.
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 101 starts from five drivers, resulting in strong performances that include four victories (Watkins Glen, Chicago, Atlanta and Canada) and 22 top-five finishes, as well as 49 top-10 finishes with an average starting position of 14.0 and an average finishing position of 12.6.
Collective NEMCO Motorsports … In the season's first five events, NEMCO Motorsports' two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entries have posted three top-five and three top-10 finishes. The NEMCO Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet Silverados have completed 1,182 total laps. John Hunter Nemechek and Joe Nemechek rank 11th and 17th respectively in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver points.
All in the Family … Team owner Joe Nemechek has one win (2003), four top-five and eight top-10 finishes in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 27 starts at the Dover International Speedway. In 39 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at the “Monster Mile,” Nemechek has one top-five and five top-10 finishes.
Meet John Hunter Nemechek … John Hunter Nemechek is scheduled to participate in an autograph session with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (ET) on Friday, June 2. The session will be located in the Delaware Office of Highway Safety display in the Dover International Speedway Midway Fan Zone.
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.
Catch the Action ... The Bar Harbor 200 presented by Sea Watch International will be broadcast live on FS1 on Friday, June 2 starting with the pre-race show at 5:00 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live at 5:00 p.m. (ET) on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the sixth event of the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule will air on Friday at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on FS1.
The Bar Harbor 200 presented by Sea Watch International at the Dover International Speedway will re-air on Saturday, June 3 at 2:30 a.m. (ET) on FS1.
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc. / ACME Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the Dover International Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 039 in the Bar Harbor 200 presented by Sea Watch International at the Dover International Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway on March 4 where Joe Nemechek finished in the 24th-position after starting in the 22nd-position in the chassis’ first appearance of the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Since 2014, Chassis No. 039 has an average finishing position of 10.6 in five starts at the Texas Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the Michigan International Speedway. Only Joe Nemechek has been behind the wheel of chassis No. 39.
Sound the Alarm … The NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado returns with the Fire Alarm Services, Inc., (FAS) brand as the primary sponsor at the Dover International Speedway. As part of the 2017 partnership agreement, the NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the Fire Alarm Services, Inc., brand as the primary sponsor for seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. Headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, Fire Alarm Services, Inc., provides superior fire and life safety and security services and products for protecting their client's real estate investment.
Autism: Understanding the Puzzle … To help generate awareness for Autism, John Hunter Nemechek will be showing his support for Autism Delaware’s mission throughout the race weekend at the Dover International Speedway by displaying a puzzle piece decal on his No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc. / ACME Chevrolet Silverado.
Miles the Monster ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s fourth Dover International Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 10.7 and an average finishing position of 14.3 at the track nicknamed “The Monster Mile.”
Speedway Stats: In 30 combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on speedways (tracks 1 to 2-miles in length), John Hunter Nemechek has recorded two victories (Chicago and Atlanta), 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. He has led for a total of 89 laps on NASCAR’s speedway tracks.
Race Rewind: Dover International Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek felt like his No. 8 Cricket SX3 Chevrolet Silverado would be one of the trucks to beat in the Jacob Companies 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Dover International Speedway last year, but ultimately an ill-handling machine hampered his efforts on the racetrack. When the checkered flag dropped, Nemechek was in 15th-place.
In the Rearview Mirror: Charlotte Motor Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished 22nd in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on May 19 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. After starting in the 13th-position in the 32-truck field, Nemechek finished the first 40 lap segment in the third position. On Lap 79, before the conclusion of Stage 2, a right-front tire failure resulted in numerous visits to pit road to repair damage. Despite the handling issues and falling to 28th-place, Nemechek made valiant attempts to position the Chevrolet Silverado to gain track position while two-laps down. Nemechek was able to cross the finish line in 22nd-place.
Season-to-date … Through the first five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races of the 2017 season, John Hunter Nemechek has completed 704 of 781 laps contested (90.1 percent), has led zero laps and is currently 11th in the driver point standings, and 13th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner points. In addition, the NEMCO Motorsports driver has collected two top-five and two top-10 finishes, has spent 480 laps running in the top 15 and has made 212 green-flag passes thus far this season.
John Hunter Nemechek NCWTS Charlotte Race Preview
Event: North Carolina Education Lottery 200
Date: Friday, May 19, 2017
Venue: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway
NEMCO Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ... This weekend will mark NEMCO Motorsports’ fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the 1.5-mile quad-oval track. The organization earned a team best finish of 11th-place at the Concord, N.C.,-facility twice with Joe Nemechek on May 16, 2014, and on May 15, 2015. Three starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway have earned NEMCO Motorsports an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finish of 11.3 with a total of four laps led.
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 100 starts from five drivers, resulting in strong performances that include four victories (Watkins Glen, Chicago, Atlanta and Canada) and 22 top-five finishes, as well as 49 top-10 finishes with an average starting position of 14.0 and an average finishing position of 12.5.
Collective NEMCO Motorsports … In the season's first four events, NEMCO Motorsports' two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entries have posted three top-five and three top-10 finishes. The NEMCO Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet Silverados have also completed 1,050 total laps. John Hunter Nemechek and Joe Nemechek rank 11th and 16th respectively in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver points.
All in the Family … Team owner Joe Nemechek has one win (1997), four top-five and eight top-10 finishes in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 35 starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and also claimed the pole position in 1997. In addition, Nemechek has 36 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway including two top-five finishes, as well as five top-10 finishes.
Meet John Hunter Nemechek … Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing display located in the fan midway at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for a question and answer session with John Hunter Nemechek on Friday, May 19 at 2:45 p.m. (ET). Nemechek is scheduled to participate in an autograph session with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (ET), located in the Whiskey River Hospitality area under the Ford grandstands, on Friday.
Media Availability ... John Hunter Nemechek will be accessible to media in attendance at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 18 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The media availability will be hosted inside the media center.
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.
Catch the Action ... The North Carolina Education Lottery 200 will be broadcast live on FS1 on Friday, May 19 starting with the pre-race show at 8:00 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the fifth event of the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule will air on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on FS1.
The North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway will re-air on Saturday, May 20 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on FS1.
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 037 in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway on October 1, 2016 where Nemechek finished in the 16th-position after starting in the 15th-position in the chassis’ second appearance of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Since 2015, Chassis No. 037 has an average finishing position of 8.4 in five starts, with one previous start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway finishing 11th with Joe Nemechek.
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3 … Perhaps the fresh memory from the recent NASCAR Camping World Truck Series open test session at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 2 will pay-off for John Hunter Nemechek. Among the 20 drivers participating in the test session, Nemechek put the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado through its paces under the watchful eye of crew chief Gere Kennon, turning a lap of 30.565 seconds at 176.673 mph.
Hometown Advantage ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s second Charlotte Motor Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 21.0 and an average finishing position of 12.0 at the Concord, N.C.,-facility.
Speedway Stats: In 29 combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on speedways (tracks 1 to 2-miles in length), John Hunter Nemechek has recorded two victories (Chicago and Atlanta), 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. He has led for a total of 89 laps on NASCAR’s speedway tracks.
Race Rewind: Charlotte Motor Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished in the 12th-postion in last year’s rain-delayed North Carolina Education Lottery 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 21, 2016. By Lap 30 Nemechek was scored in sixth-place after starting in the 21st-postion. However, varying fuel strategies hindered Nemechek from contending for the win in the closing laps of the 201-mile event.
In the Rearview Mirror: Kansas Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished third in the Toyota Tundra 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on May 12 at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. After starting in the 14th-place in the 32-truck field, Nemechek finished the first 40 lap segment in the fourth position, and was in the seventh-place ending the Stage 2 on Lap 80. After restarting in the fourth-place on Lap 138, Nemechek was able to move to third battling with the leaders. Nemechek scored his best finish of the season, and secured his second top-five in four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
Season-to-date … Through the first four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races of the 2017 season, John Hunter Nemechek has completed 572 of 647 laps contested (88.4 percent), has led 0 laps and is currently 11th in the driver point standings, and 14th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Owner points. In addition, the NEMCO Motorsports driver has collected two top-five and two top-10 finishes, has spent 406 laps running in the top 15 and has made 179 green-flag passes thus far this season.
John Hunter Nemechek NCWTS Kansas Race Preview
Event: Toyota Tundra 250
Date: Friday, May 12, 2017
Venue: Kansas SpeedwayNEMCO Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History at the Kansas Speedway ... This weekend will mark NEMCO Motorsports’ fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the 1.5-mile tri-oval track. The organization earned a team best finish of second-place with Ryan Newman on May 8, 2015. Three starts at the Kansas Speedway have earned NEMCO Motorsports an average starting position of 8.7 and an average finish of 13.0.
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 99 starts from five drivers, resulting in strong performances that include four victories (Watkins Glen, Chicago, Atlanta and Canada) and 21 top-five finishes, as well as 48 top-10 finishes with an average starting position of 14.0 and an average finishing position of 12.6. This weekend at the Kansas Speedway will mark the 100th NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start for NEMCO Motorsports.
Collective NEMCO Motorsports … In the season's first three events, NEMCO Motorsports' two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entries have posted two top-five and two top-10 finishes. The NEMCO Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet Silverados have also completed 883 total laps. Joe Nemechek and John Hunter Nemechek rank 12th and 15th respectively in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver points.
Family Matters … John Hunter Nemechek has been to Victory Lane at the Kansas Speedway before – celebrating with father Joe Nemechek when he was seven-years old. Team owner Joe Nemechek has one win (2004), two top-five and two top-10 finishes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 15 starts at the Kansas Speedway. In 2004, Nemechek not only captured his fourth career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win, but also took the pole for the 400-mile, 267-lap event, and additionally won the supporting NASCAR XFINITY Series race in his NEMCO Motorsports entry.
Meet John Hunter Nemechek … Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing display located in the fan midway at the Kansas Speedway for a question and answer session with John Hunter Nemechek on Friday, May 12 at 12:30 p.m. (CT). Nemechek is scheduled to participate in an autograph session with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. (CT), located in the Kansas Speedway Infield Fan Zone, on Friday. Additionally, Nemechek will participate in a question and answer session at The Finish Line, located in hospitality village (Turn 1 of the grandstands) on Friday at 2:45 p.m. (CT).
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.
Catch the Action ... The Toyota Tundra 250 will be broadcast live on FS1 on Friday, May 12 starting with the pre-race show at8:00 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the fourth event of the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule will air on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on FS1.
The Toyota Tundra 250 at the Kansas Speedway will re-air on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 a.m. (ET) on FS1.
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the Kansas Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 040 in the Toyota Tundra 250 at the Kansas Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis at the Chicagoland Speedway on September 16, 2016, where Nemechek finished in the 14th-position after starting in the 18th-position in the chassis’ second appearance of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Since 2015, Chassis No. 040 has an average finishing position of 10.5 in eight starts, with one previous start at the Kansas Speedway finishing 28th with Nemechek.
Sound the Alarm … The NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado returns with the Fire Alarm Services, Inc., (FAS) brand as the primary sponsor at the Kansas Speedway for the second consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season with driver John Hunter Nemechek. As part of the 2017 partnership agreement, the NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the Fire Alarm Services, Inc., brand as the primary sponsor for seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. Headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, Fire Alarm Services, Inc., provides superior fire and life safety and security services and products for protecting their client's real estate investment.
In the season debut for Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Nemechek finished in the fourth-position at the Daytona (Fla) International Speedway on February 24.
Yellow Brick Road to the Kansas Speedway ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s second Kansas Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 6.0 and an average finishing position of 28.0 at the Kansas City, Kan.,-facility.
Speedway Stats: In 28 combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on speedways (tracks 1 to 2-miles in length), John Hunter Nemechek has recorded two victories (Chicago and Atlanta), nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. He has led for a total of 89 laps on NASCAR’s speedway tracks.
Race Rewind: Kansas Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Andy's Frozen Custard Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished 28th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race last year at the Kansas Speedway. After rising to second from his sixth-place starting spot, Nemechek was on his way toward securing a solid finish in the extended 170-lap race around the 1.5-mile oval, but an early-race accident on Lap 48 caused damage to the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado, and the night ended in dejection with two bouts of on-track trouble—including a blown tire.
In the Rearview Mirror: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway ... Due to a parts failure at the Martinsville Speedway, John Hunter Nemechek, the driver of the No. 8 D.A.B. Constructors, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado, finished in the 28th-place in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Alpha Energy Solutions 250 on April 1. Starting strong from the 12th-place in the 32-truck field, Nemechek finished the first 70 lap segment in the tenth position. He continued to show strength, climbing all the way to fourth when an ignition wire failure resulted in a caution. The misfortune occurred on Lap 119, forcing Nemechek to the garage to evaluate the issue, Crew chief Gere Kennon was able to locate the faulty part and Nemechek returned to track. On Lap 140 Nemechek returned to pit road, and persevered to be the fastest truck on track while 23 laps down.
Season-to-date … Through the first three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races of the 2017 season, John Hunter Nemechek has completed 405 of 480 laps contested (84.4 percent), has led 0 laps and is currently 15th in the driver point standings, 21st in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner points. In addition, the NEMCO Motorsports driver has collected one top-five and one top-10 finish, has spent 240 laps running in the top 15 and has made 137 green-flag passes thus far this season.
John Hunter Nemechek Martinsville Preview
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 D.A.B. Constructors, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the Martinsville Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 034 in the Alpha Energy Solutions 250 at the Martinsville Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis at the Martinsville Speedway on October 29, 2016 where Nemechek finished in the third-position after starting in the 12th-position in the chassis’ fourth appearance of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Since 2014, Chassis No. 034 has five top-five finishes, and an average finishing position of 10.08 in 12 starts.
Paperclip Review ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s eighth Martinsville Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 14.7 and an average finishing position of 10.9 at the .526-mile track. Nemechek has led for a total of 50 laps at the historic 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.
Short Track Stats: In 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on short tracks (less than one mile in length), John Hunter Nemechek has recorded four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, with an average starting spot of 12.0 and an average finish of 10.6 on these racetracks.
Race Rewind: Martinsville Speedway … Last year John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished in the third-position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions at the Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, October 29. Nemechek travelled to the .526-mile paperclip-shaped Martinsville oval with two previous consecutive second-place finishes at the Ridgeway, Va., facility. Nemechek started the 200-lap event from the 12th-place and wasted no time in his bid for the lead, racing into the top-ten by Lap 70 and taking over the top spot on Lap 158. He led the next 18 circuits around the track before the caution on Lap 177, and Nemechek restarted in the second-place before crossing the finish line in the third-place.
In the Rearview Mirror: Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek had a strong start at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Active Pest Control 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, but an early ending resulted in a 29th-place finish for the driver of the No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado. After starting in the 11th-place in the 32-truck field, Nemechek finished the first 40 lap segment in the seventh position. He continued to show strength, climbing all the way to fourth. A flat right-front tire on Lap 79 around the 1.54-mile oval sent Nemechek into the wall. Forced to pit road to repair damage, crew chief Gere Kennon determined the No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet was too damaged to repair.
Season-to-date … Through the first two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races of the 2017 season, John Hunter Nemechek has completed 179 of 230 laps contested (77.8 percent), has led 0 laps and is currently 12th in the driver point standings, 15th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Owner points. In addition, the NEMCO Motorsports driver has collected one top-five and one top-10 finish, has spent 127 laps running in the top 15 and has made 118 green-flag passes thus far this season.
John Hunter Nemechek Atlanta Motor Speedway Preview
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports’ Chevrolet Silverado at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 041 in the Active Pest Control 200 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis during the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18, 2016, where they finished in the 11th-place after starting in the sixth-place. In the chassis’ six previous-season starts at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Michigan International Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway with Nemechek, the chassis has an average finishing position of 11.16.
Georgia on my Mind ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s second Atlanta Motor Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Nemechek made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series track debut on February 27, 2016. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 18.0 and an average finishing position of 1.00.
Speedway Stats: In 27 combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on speedways (tracks 1 to 2-miles in length), John Hunter Nemechek has recorded two victories (Chicago and Atlanta), nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. He has led for a total of 89 laps on NASCAR’s speedway tracks.
Race Rewind: Atlanta Motor Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek maneuvered his way through various battles, holding off competitors in a two-lap dash to the checkered flag to win the Great Clips 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 27, 2016. 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. Nemechek, who was 18 years, 8 months and 16 days old, became the youngest NASCAR national series winner at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In the Rearview Mirror: Daytona International Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished in the fourth-position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 24. Nemechek started the 100-lap event from the 19th-place and was involved in a multi-truck incident on Lap 3. He battled his way through the 32-truck field before being involved in a single-truck incident on Lap 96. John Hunter Nemechek drove through the last-lap melee with father Joe Nemecheck just at his back bumper, finishing in the fourth place.
John Hunter Nemechek Daytona Preview
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports’ Chevrolet Silverado at the Daytona International Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 062 in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at the Daytona International Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis at the Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 where they finished in the 32nd-place after starting in the 11th-place in the chassis’ second appearance of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. In the chassis’ six starts at Daytona International Speedway, and the Talladega Superspeedway it has an average finishing position of 16.33.
Sound the Alarm … The NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado returns with the Fire Alarm Services, Inc., (FAS) brand as the primary sponsor at the Daytona International Speedway, for the second consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season with driver John Hunter Nemechek. As part of the 2017 partnership agreement, the NEMCO Motorsports No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the Fire Alarm Services, Inc., brand as the primary sponsor for seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. Headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, Fire Alarm Services, Inc., provides superior fire and life safety and security services and products for protecting their client's real estate investment.
Welcome to Daytona Beach ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s second Daytona International Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of 15.0 and an average finishing position of 17.00. Nemechek made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series track debut on February 19, 2016. In addition, Nemechek tested with the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series at the Daytona Beach, Fla., facility in December 2013.
Restrictor Plate Stats: In three combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on restrictor plate tracks (Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway), John Hunter Nemechek has an average finish of 20.0 with 210 laps completed. John Hunter Nemechek has one more restrictor plate start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series than his father, Joe Nemechek.
Race Rewind: Daytona International Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished in the 17th-position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2016. Nemechek began the 100-lap race around the 2.5-mile track from the 15th-position in the 32-truck field.
In the Rearview Mirror: 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Season ... The Mooresville, N.C., driver started his first full season of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition in 2016 with a win at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., in just his 32nd NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career start. Nemechek, who was 18 years, 8 months and 16 days old, became the youngest NASCAR national series winner at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The season brought more success for Nemechek as he captured his first pole award in June at the Iowa Speedway and captured his career third win in September at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park located in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.
Victories at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park established Nemechek's early entry into the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase. In addition to the pole award and wins, Nemechek produced five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes and finished eighth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver point standings.
Nemechek Ready for More Fun Doing Snowball Double-Duty
John Hunter Nemechek was the one kissing the snowball atop the Tom Dawson Trophy at the end of the 47th Annual Snowball Derby in 2014. One year later in 2015, Nemechek was eight laps away from his second straight win when his race literally went up in flames. Now Nemechek is heading back to Pensacola, Florida seeking more glory in the 49th Annual Snowball Derby.
“We’re going down there to go and win the race,” Nemechek told Speed51.com powered by JEGS. “We had a mechanical failure that took us out while we were leading with eight laps to go or we would have been the car to beat at the end. As long as we prepare our equipment correctly and make sure that we’re fast during practice we’ll be good. We’ve learned how to run the race strategy wise so hopefully everything will fall into place and we can be there at the end in the top three going for the win.”
Nemechek, a current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular, will compete in both the Snowball Derby and the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 the night before the Derby.
300x250-2016-snowball-derby-ticketsPulling double-duty is something Nemechek has done the past three years as well, and has seen great results. In 2014, Nemechek finished second in the Snowflake and won the Snowball Derby. In 2015, Nemechek won the Snowflake and was leading late until a mechanical failure derailed his path to victory. Nemechek also finished second in the 2013 Snowflake 100 and scored another top five in that year’s Derby as well.
Nemechek said the main reason he runs both races every year is simple. It’s just fun.
“It’s challenging as a driver to run both the Pro and the Super Late Model,” he said. “They’re so different. It’s not like jumping from a Cup to an XFINITY car according to some drivers. The horsepower is way different and you have to drive both of them totally differently. As a driver, I like the challenge. I like to run the Super and the Pro and I like to be able to be in the car every day too. As a driver you want to run every chance that you can.”
The 19-year-old North Carolina native said the amount of fun he has is the main reason he enjoys Snowball Derby week so much. He doesn’t worry about the workload or the stress that typically comes with trying to win the biggest race of the year. He just has fun because he’s a racer and he gets to race.
“I think just being in a race car every day,” Nemechek said. “When you’re running most weekends you’re only in the car one or two days every weekend. But here you’re in the race car three or four days. We work way hard on our cars down there compared to any other race that you would really go to.”
Nemechek knows that even with as much fun as he already has during Derby week, there’s one way it can be even more fun.
“It’s always been fun to be able to go down there and run and it’s an exciting week. To win that trophy means a lot, so we keep going down there to win and to keep bringing those trophies back home.”
The 49th Annual Snowball Derby weekend kicks off on Wednesday, November 30 with the Cat Country/WEAR TV3 Green Flag Pit Party and Qualifying Order Draw Down.
Thursday, December 1 will see the Super Late Models take to the track for the first official Snowball Derby practice. The night will be highlighted by a 30-lap race for the Butler U-Pull-It Bombers and a 50-lap event for the Dock on the Beach Sportsmen division.
The top Snowball Derby starting spots will be set on Friday, December 2 during NASH FM 102.7 Pole Night. The Faith Chapel Super Stocks and the Modifieds will each run 50-lap features.
The Pro Late Models take center stage on Saturday, December 3 for the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100. The 50-lap Last Chance Qualifier for the Snowball Derby and a 50-lap feature for the Beef O’Brady’s Pro Truck division will also run on Saturday night.
Then on Sunday, December 4 the green flag will fly over the the 49th Annual Snowball Derby. The 300-lap race will begin at 2 p.m. CT.
John Hunter Nemechek NCWTS Homestead Preview
John Hunter Nemechek
No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado
This Week's NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the Homestead-Miami Speedway ... John Hunter Nemechek will pilot Chassis No. 041 in the Ford EcoBoost 200 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Gere Kennon-led team last unloaded this NEMCO Motorsports prepared chassis at the Michigan International Speedway on August 27 where they finished in the 26th-place after starting in the 16th-place in the chassis’ fifth appearance of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. In the chassis’ starts (Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, and Michigan International Speedway) with Nemechek, it has an average finishing position of 11.2.
“I'm going to Miami, welcome to Miami” ... This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s second Homestead-Miami Speedway appearance with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., driver has earned an average starting position of second and an average finishing position of second with 24 laps led at the 1.5-mile track. Nemechek made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series track debut on November 20, 2015.
In the Loop at the Homestead-Miami Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek has the highest average running position (2.485) at the Homestead-Miami Speedway of active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers. In addition, Nemechek has the highest driver rating (126.6) and box score among full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers at the 1.5-mile track.
Speedway Stats: In 26 combined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on speedways (tracks 1 to 2-miles in length), John Hunter Nemechek has recorded two victories (Chicago and Atlanta), nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. He has led for a total of 89 laps on NASCAR’s speedway tracks.
Race Rewind: Homestead-Miami Speedway … John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, qualified in the second-position for the 201-mile NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race November 20, 2015 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Nemechek captured the lead on Lap 31, exchanging the lead for a total of five times, leading 24 laps before finishing in the second-place. Nemechek was the highest finishing rookie in his debut at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In the Rearview Mirror: Phoenix International Raceway ... John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Fire Alarm Services, Inc., Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports, finished in the sixth-position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 at the Phoenix International Raceway on November 11. Nemechek started the 150-lap event from the sixth-place. The 19-year old raced to the fifth-place by Lap 140 and ultimately finished in the sixth-place, maintaining his position in the closing laps.
Season-to-date … Through the first 22 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races of the 2016 season, John Hunter Nemechek has completed 3133 of 3305 laps contested (94.8 percent), has led 99 laps and is currently eighth in the driver point standings. In addition, the NEMCO Motorsports driver has collected two victories (Atlanta, Canada), has one pole award (Iowa), has five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, has spent 2,440 laps running in the top 15 and has made 796 green-flag passes thus far this season.