After getting bounced from the NASCAR Cup Series four years ago, 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Hemric will get a second chance to compete full-time at NASCAR’s top level.
The 32-year-old driver will continue with Kaulig Racing in 2024 but will graduate to the organization’s NASCAR Cup Series program, where he’ll pilot the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro, replacing Justin Haley – who departs Kaulig Racing for Rick Ware Racing.
“This is a big day, and it means so much to my family and me,” said Hemric. “It’s truly special to have an opportunity to do something big with a group of people that want it just as bad as you. It takes heart, and each and every person at Kaulig Racing has it. I’m looking forward to finishing out this season strong and getting right back to work in the off-season with everyone at Kaulig Racing.”
A native of Kannapolis, North Carolina, Hemric has been present in NASCAR’s National Series for the last decade, starting by making his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for Eddie Sharp Racing in 2013.
In 2017, Hemric was tapped by Richard Childress Racing to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, after a successful stint with Brad Keselowski Racing at the NASCAR Truck Series level in 2016.
After two successful campaigns with RCR, Hemric was ushered to the NASCAR Cup Series for the organization in 2019, where he was released at the end of the season, after finishing 25th in points with just two finishes inside the top-10.
Hemric would then be bounced back down to the Xfinity Series, where he’d take shelter with three different organizations in three years, the last of which was Kaulig Racing, where he continues to run after two seasons.
“They say that tough times don’t last, but tough people do,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “That rings true with Daniel Hemric. Throughout all the ups and downs of the past couple of years, Daniel continues to believe in the Kaulig Racing culture. Over the last few months, we have been asking ourselves, ‘What can make us a better race team?’ We truly believe Daniel can and will continue to make Kaulig Racing better as an organization.”
In his time with Kaulig Racing, Hemric has yet to break through with a trip to victory lane in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but has recorded eight finishes inside the top five, as well as 27 top-10s in 59 starts.
“Daniel’s grit and determination both on and off track are what make him such an integral part of our Kaulig Racing family,” said team owner, Matt Kaulig. “Daniel’s competitive edge is what drives him, and his focus on giving back is what grounds him. That’s what has earned him the respect and admiration from his peers at Kaulig Racing, and we will continue to grow with him.”
Last season, Hemric was part of a three-driver rotation for the organization’s second NASCAR Cup Series entry, where he made a total of nine starts at NASCAR’s top level, scoring a season-high ninth-place finish at Auto Club Speedway.
Partnership information for Hemric’s run in the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro will be released at a later date.
