Early Motor and Rear-End Issues Relegate Daniel Hemric to 25th-Place Finish in Chicagoland Debut

Luck was not on the side of Daniel Hemric and the No. 14 NTS Motorsports team as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) battled weather in the series’ only trip to Chicagoland Speedway. Despite a motor change and rear-end issue taking the California Clean Power Chevrolet out of contention for the win, the team was persistent in its efforts, earning a 25th-place finish.

Laying down the 14th-fastest lap in the weekend’s only practice session, Hemric should have taken the green flag from that same position after rain washed out qualifying and the field was set by practice speeds. With weather postponing the running of the American Ethanol E15 225 until Saturday morning, the No. 14 NTS Motorsports team found that the severe rain that continued overnight had seeped into the motor of the California Clean Power Chevy, forcing an engine change prior to the start of the event. Required to start at the rear of the field because of the pre-race change, Hemric showed his truck’s impressive speed by gaining more than 10 positions in the opening seven laps. However, misfortune occurred on lap 13 when the No. 14 Silverado experienced a catastrophic failure in the rear end, causing mechanical damage and forcing the team to the garage. Fast work by the NTS Motorsports crew allowed Hemric to return to the track on lap 73, mired more than 50 laps down in the 29th position. Refusing to give up, Hemric and his team were determined to finish the race and gain valuable experience. Persevering until the checkered flag waved, Hemric gained four positions in the remaining laps, ultimately crossing the finish line in the 25th position.

Daniel Hemric on Chicagoland Speedway
“Today was by far the most difficult race of the season for myself and our team. I hate that all the efforts of NTS Motorsports and Chevrolet were overshadowed by so many things today. My team built me an incredibly fast truck and I wish that we’d had the opportunity to show it. We also had an extremely scary incident on pit road, and I’m so thankful that all of our guys are okay; they are as talented and as tough as they come.I’m just so glad that we get to start all over again next weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. We’ll put this weekend behind us and move forward.”

Hemric remains fifth in the NCWTS Driver Point Standings. The Truck Series celebrates its historic 500th race next weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The UNOH 175 will air live on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

NTS Motorsports PR