By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
It was an unnecessary mistake that cost Daniel Hemric a shot at his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
In the closing laps of the Drive for the Cure 200, Hemric wheel-hopped in Turns 15, 16 and 17—or the frontstretch chicane. Because of the wheel-hop, the driver of the No. 21, overshot a portion of the chicane and had to conduct a stop-and-go penalty. Hemric dropped from second to about 14th.
With hundreds of laps on the circuit, Hemric did not make the mistake he did in the race. Unfortunately, the mistake came at the wrong time.
“Unfortunately to not make a mistake like that all weekend, but when I needed to not make it the most, I did. I am frustrated. I am frustrated in myself and nobody else. We had a car that could have won this race today,’ Hemric stated post-race.
Before the incident, Hemric was keeping pace and gaining time on Chase Briscoe. Hemric believed that he could have caught Briscoe and go on towards the race weekend.
“I thought so. Chase was doing a good job of keeping the car straight and doing the right things. I felt like I was better through the chicane getting into the frontstretch. I didn’t have to push it. I am not sure why I was being so aggressive. I still have a long way to go. I am frustrating with my mistakes,” he said.
Despite the mistake, Hemric finished 10th at Charlotte Motor Speedway.