By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor
In the midst of his second NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Daniel Hemric is set to make his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut.
Hemric announced on FOX Sports 1’s “NASCAR Race Hub” Tuesday that he’ll make his first Cup start for Richard Childress Racing in the April 21 race at Richmond Raceway. He’ll pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet, with sponsor support from Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff.
“You only get one chance to make your Cup Series debut, and it is pretty incredible to know that I am able to do it with Richard Childress Racing and with a partner such as Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff,” Hemric said in an accompanying team release.
A native of Kannapolis, N.C., Hemric joined RCR in 2017 after a decorated career in late models and two years in the Camping World Truck Series. He’s yet to make his way to victory lane in NASCAR national series, but the 27-year-old’s consistency has garnered him a playoff berth in both the Truck Series (2016) and Xfinity Series (2017).
Hemric made the Championship 4 last season, finishing fourth in the standings after his No. 21 Chevrolet fell victim to mechanical woes. He gained Cup experience filling in for former team driver Paul Menard during qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway, with additional experience gained in a Goodyear Tire test on the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course in Oct.
“Since joining our organization, Daniel Hemric has shown his determination and dedication to this sport both on and off the track,” RCR Chairman and CEO Richard Childress said. “He has proven his ability behind the wheel by making the Championship 4 in the Xfinity Series in 2017 and his continued success this season. Making his Cup Series debut is the next step in his career and we are proud to have him take that step with RCR.”
Hemric will also compete in the Sept. 30 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course.
“To make my debut at Richmond will make me feel at home, since I spent years coming up through the ranks at short-tracks across the country,” he said. “To do it again in front of my hometown crowd in Charlotte later in the year is an overwhelming feeling.
“Many people have laid everything on the line to get me to this point and I am extremely grateful to all of those people for putting me in position to get this shot in the Cup Series. These are going to be two very special weekends, to say the least.”
Hemric’s debut will also serve as the first race for Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff as a primary sponsor of a Cup car. The company last held primary sponsor duties for Hemric in four Xfinity Series races in 2017.
“Daniel Hemric was a great ambassador for our brand in 2017,” Smokey Mountain Chew President Dave Savoca said. “His on-track success, coupled with his infectious personality and marketability, were a great fit for our company, and we look forward to building on that partnership in 2018 as Daniel makes his Cup Series debut.”
The 8️⃣ is back: https://t.co/okAGY8G0dC #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/OyH17ADGtj
— RCR (@RCRracing) March 20, 2018