By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
For the second time on the day, a new full-time driver joins the ranks for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
This time, it is Daniel Hemric, the XFINITY Series sophomore who will be placed into the No. 31 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in 2019. The opportunity comes in place of Ryan Newman, who announced last week his move to Roush Fenway Racing.
“Ever since I was a kid growing up in Kannapolis, I followed and rooted for RCR,” said Hemric. “My dream has always been to race for championships in the NASCAR Cup Series. I have worked hard to get here and those who know me and have supported me, know I take nothing for granted.”
With 60 XFINITY starts and 50 in Camping World Trucks, Hemric feels he is ready to take the next step to Cup, where he will align himself with teammate Austin Dillon for the 2019 Daytona 500 and beyond.
“I’m just extremely humbled & thankful & knew it would all work out,” @DanielHemric after being announced as the driver of the No. 31 @RCRCup Chevrolet for 2019.
— RCR (@RCRracing) September 28, 2018
“The time has come to take that next step,” he said. “I want to thank Richard [Childress, team owner] for believing in me and providing such an amazing opportunity. I also look forward to working together closely with Austin and the No. 3 team during the 2019 season.”
Childress has had his eyes set on Hemric since the North Carolina native raced Legend cars with his grandsons Austin and Ty Dillon.
“Our plan was to develop Daniel and move him up to the Cup Series when the time was right,” Childress said. “We believe that time is now. Daniel has won championships in just about everything he’s raced, and I hope we can add an XFINITY Series title before season’s end. He battled for the championship right to the end last year. He’s had another strong year in 2018 and will represent RCR well in the Cup Series along with iconic brands including Caterpillar and Chevrolet.”
"People have no idea about the sacrifices … that's what I like about Daniel, he's a racer. He hasn't been handed anything. He has worked for it and he's a racer," Richard Childress says of @DanielHemric
— RCR (@RCRracing) September 28, 2018