Daniel Hemric made his first start at Phoenix International Raceway in Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event and finished 13th with the No. 6 Jack Link’s/Valvoline Chevrolet team. Starting from the 14th position under the lights of the Avondale, Ariz. race track, Hemric battled a loose-handling condition on the black and white machine. Having to be extremely conservative on the entries to the turns, the Kannapolis, N.C., native fell to 27th in the running order. The first caution of the night came on Lap 34, giving the team the opportunity to work on the truck’s handling. Crew chief Bryan Berry called for four tires, fuel, a left shock and chassis adjustments when Hemric drove the truck to pit road. The 22-year-old driver continued to battle around the one-mile track, receiving the Lucky Dog to return to the lead lap on two occasions. The team continued to work to make progress with the truck’s balance during routine pit stops, making a right rear shock adjustment, in addition to air pressure and chassis changes. As the handling conditioned gradually improved the SGR driver picked off one position at a time. Hemric turned his fastest times in the closing laps, and took the checkered flag in the 13th position. Despite handling challenges and near-misses of spinning trucks during the 150-lap race, the young rookie brought home the No. 6 Jack Link’s/Valvoline Chevrolet without a scratch on it like a seasoned veteran.
Daniel Hemric Quote:
“I’d like to thank the Sharp-Gallaher Racing team for sticking behind me all night. Thirteenth wasn’t the finish we wanted for the Jack Link’s/Valvoline Chevrolet, but we never gave up. I learned with every lap around here (Phoenix International Raceway). Thank you to Eddie Sharp, Bill Gallaher, Jack Link’s, Valvoline, ECR Engines and Stitch98 for making my dreams come true tonight, and to everyone out there for believing in me. Hopefully, we’ll get to do it again!”
ESR PR
