Despite dealing with the rigors of being a Monster Energy
NASCAR Cup Series rookie, Daniel Hemric is still finding time to return to his
short track roots this summer.
Back in April, it was revealed that Hemric would join Wimmer
Motorsports for the Redbud 400 at Anderson Speedway in July. That race has now
evolved into a three-race partnership with the addition of the Slinger Nationals
at Slinger Super Speedway on July 9 and the Dixieland 250 at Wisconsin
International Speedway on Tuesday August 6.
Hemric is the 2013 Southern Super Series champion and 2012 CRA JEGS Tour Pro Late Model champion. He has won 14 Super Late Model touring races and 8 Pro Late Model touring races.
He has raced full-time in NASCAR’s top three divisions since
the 2015 season and that has diminished the opportunities for him to race on
short tracks. His long-time Super Late Model team owners, Jake and Deanna
Carswell, have also shelved their program for the time being.
“I’ve wanted to do some Late Model racing the last
couple of years but couldn’t really figure it out in terms of balancing my
schedule,” Hemric said. “Timing wise, everything just came together.
The opportunities and the schedule – there are a couple premier races I’ve
wanted to check off my list and we’re going to be able to do that, as well as
get back to one (Redbud) where I’ve had some success in the past.
“Slinger and Dixieland are some of the best short track races and have been won by some of the best drivers in the sport,” Hemric stated. “I’ve never raced Late Models in Wisconsin and they have a rich history and it will be good to go toe-to-toe with some of those guys. We’ve won the Redbud and had success at Anderson before, too. It’s a great track that produces unbelievable racing.”
READ MORE: Johnny Sauter enters Slinger Nationals
And being able to do it with Chris Wimmer gives him a chance
to win each start.
“Obviously anytime you have someone of Daniel’s stature
want to get in one of your race cars it’s extremely flattering,” Wimmer
said. “The Hemrics have been friends of ours for a long time and the idea
had been tossed around over the past few years, but to have it all come
together and to have Daniel drive for us for some of the biggest Super Late
Model races is truly exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”
The North Carolina
driver won the Redbud 400 in 2014, but has never seen the high banks of Slinger
Speedway nor the tricky dogleg at Wisconsin International Speedway. On the flip
side, Wimmer is a former Slinger Nationals winner and helped crew chief 2018
Dixieland 250 winner Chase Purdy with Anthony Campi Racing in 2018.
“Anytime you return to a track where you’ve had success, you feel confident in what you need to be fast,” Hemric said. “That said, a lot has changed in the Late Model game since I’ve been a regular in 2014. As far as Slinger and Kaukauna, the Nationals has some of the tightest fields with some of the best drivers, all trying to win one of the biggest shows in the sport. I followed the Dixieland online the last couple of years and have seen a lot of quality guys try and win that race. There will certainly be a learning curve there. Hopefully we can get up to speed quickly and have a chance to contend for the win.”
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