By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
Although the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut for John Hunter Nemechek was uneventful, the 22-year-old turned heads during his successful debut.
Nemechek quietly hovered just outside the top-20 throughout the race in the No. 36 Speedy Cash Ford Mustang. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular was on the lead lap until the final round of green flag pit stops. Nemechek took the checkered flag in 21st, one lap down.
“It was a long day, but it wasn’t that long of a day,” Nemechek admitted. “We had a pretty good car. We finished in front of all of our teammates. It was a heck of a debut; I was able to lean on David (Ragan) and Michael (McDowell) for a lot of information this weekend.
“We kept adjusting on it every stop just seeing what the car would do. I learned a lot as a driver today. Hopefully we can take this momentum on into the future and just better myself.”
Although he was in his first Premier Series start, Nemechek held his own with the veteran competition at Texas Motor Speedway. He competed with Kyle Busch, William Byron, and eventual race winner Kevin Harvick. Nemechek raced his competition cleanly in a bid to earn respect.
“It was all about earning respect, staying out of the way, and just running our own race,” Nemechek explained. “We only finished one lap down. I’m proud of that.”
Nemechek out-ran his two teammates, Michael McDowell and David Ragan, throughout the race. He leaned on his two veteran teammates during the weekend.
Front Row Motorsports called on Nemechek to fill-in for Matt Tifft in the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. The 21st-place finish was on par for the Bob Jenkins’ owned No. 36 this season. The average finish for the No. 36 this season is now 24th.
The Mooresville, N.C. native will pilot the No. 36 at ISM Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Nemechek will also compete in his regular ride in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at both tracks for GMS Racing.
Nemechek expressed that this isn’t how he wanted to make his Cup debut, having been forced to watch others drive his cars in the past.
“It’s cool to be out there, to get the debut out of the way. I’m wishing Matt a speedy recovery. I think he was here today; I didn’t get to see him. Hopefully he comes to the next two, I know it’s hard watching someone fill your seat. I’ve been in that spot before. It’s his seat and I’m just here to fill-in for him in these last three races.”
The substitution allowed John Hunter Nemechek to share his debut race with his father, Joe Nemechek. The elder Nemechek drove the No. 15 Xchange of America Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Premium Motorsports. Joe Nemechek finished 29th, six laps behind his son.
The AAA Texas 500 marked the 1000th Cup race for Front Row Motorsports, dating back to 2005. John Hunter Nemechek joined his father, Joe Nemechek, as one of the 42 drivers to have made a start in the organization’s 15-year history.
The last time a father-son duo competed in the same Cup race was Bobby Hamilton and Bobby Hamilton, Jr. at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2005. They finished 30th and 39th in the 2005 running of the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500.
Coincidentally, Hamilton Jr. officially drove for Jenkins in that 2005 race after failing to qualify in his original entry. A deal between his team owner, Cal Wells and Jenkins put Hamilton in the race that day.