By Jerry Jordan, Editor
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jumping up to the NASCAR Cup Series and sporting an iconic No. 8 on the side of his racecar for Richard Childress Racing, the 2019 Daytona 500 doesn’t worry Daniel Hemric, at least, not until he hears the National Anthem as he is about to get behind the wheel.
“Something about that feel, when you have tons of people around you but you see your group, that have, kind of, stood behind you the whole time,” Hemric said, “a lot of family and friends, car owners, I have a lot of people who will be here for that moment and really to share that with them. We got to this point together and it’s because of those folks I have had the opportunity to be where I am at today. So, as we go through those emotions it will probably really, really set in but the good thing is we strap into the racecars quickly after that, so we can get down to business.”
Henric said what he really thinks will be going through his mind are the emotions of having his family and friends at the track for his first Daytona 500 start. He explained that, for him, it’s the build up to the race and seeing everyone around him that makes him stop and reflect. As a scrappy Kannapolis. N.C. racer trying to make it to the top of the sport, he says it hasn’t been easy but it has been worth it.
“Being able to take part in the biggest stage of the sport that you have worked your whole life to be a part of, there should be some kind of emotions or jitters but I think just getting on the track for the first time earlier in the week for practice, kind of, was able to let me breathe, kind of, just enjoy that part of it,” he said. “I know I will be emotional all the way through the week but I’m just happy to have a shot, man. It’s just cool to be here sitting on this stage and have an opportunity.”
As a kid, Hemric pulled for Dale Earnhardt, the most famous racer ever from Kannapolis, N.C. and to have a shot at following in those footsteps is not lost on him. In fact, it was something he – and other aspiring racers – dreamed of as the worked their way through the racing ranks. Now, he will be piloting the No. 8 – a number run by 17 other drivers but none made it as famous as the Earnhardt family. Dale Earnhardt made his first start in the No. 8 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the red No. 8 Budweiser car to iconic status.
“It’s a huge sense of pride to be from Kannapolis, N.C. and to know the guy before me who came from the same area and what he did for our sport,” Hemric said. “Also, I feel like there is a sense of pride throughout our race shop when the realize where I came from and how I have gotten to this point. It, kind of, puts a little pep in the step to realize how I got here and living the American dream.
“I was all about the (No.) 8. I have driven so many different car numbers over my time, I never got stuck on certain numbers. All I really cared about was having a racecar to drive but when Richard (Childress) made that an option for me to have that as an availability, or if I wanted to do it or not, I thought, man, why would we not?”