By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
This week, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie Daniel Hemric was informed that he would not return to Richard Childress Racing in 2020.
Following a 27-race stretch with only two top-10 finishes, Hemric and RCR will part ways at the end of the 2019 season with mutual respect.
For Hemric, leaving on good terms was critical.
“They felt like they had to do something different,” Hemric said Friday at Richmond Raceway. “That’s the decision they made and we’re going to live with it and move on.”
The North Carolina native had spent three years with the organization, including two years in the Xfinity Series in 2017-’18.
“They were as professional as they could be about giving me enough time to understand the process and what was going on,” he said. “I was hoping we could continue to build on what we’ve done over the past six months. We know, as a whole, we had made huge strides at RCR.
“That part of it was disappointing that I’m not going to be a part of that process.”
Despite the unfortunate news, opportunities have been on the table for the 28-year-old this past week. Mostly due to his positive image in the garage.
“I’ve been very blown away by the support,” he said. “It’s very humbling to have — not only people in the industry, but your peers and guys you race with. To have some of the stars of the sport reach out with their gratitude and praise with what you’re doing on and off the track.
“That’s led to a lot of phone calls and a lot of conversations with race teams over the last week. Because of that, I’m thankful. Hopefully that allows me to have a long and successful career. I’m not here to just get by, I’m here to do it and do it at the highest level possible.”
With no teaser into what he may drive in 2020, Hemric didn’t hesitate to say he would race anything moving forward.
“I just want to race,” he said. “The best thing for the soul is to get back in the racecar. People always talk about winning races, [I] haven’t won a NASCAR race. On the flip side, I’m said time and time again, I feel I’ve always been a part of a building process. Coming into a team that needed work. I thrive under that and I don’t mind.”
With no victories through 145 national series starts, Hemric knows the numbers are important in securing a job in NASCAR.
“If you lay down, you know you gave it all you had,” he said. “Have I lost the ability to sleep over the last week? Of course. You’re the guy people lean to provide. But from the success side, I haven’t lost a wink of sleep. I know I’ve done all I can do.”
Ending final practice third quickest this weekend at Richmond, Hemric has already moved back into race mode to end 2019 on a high note.
“Rolling on, moving forward,” he said. “I know whatever opportunity is, I’ll jump in it and hopefully can build whatever program it is.”