In the midst of a dominant NASCAR Camping World Truck Series campaign, John Hunter Nemechek will add some additional driving time to his 2021 schedule.
Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed the news Friday morning, that Nemechek will take the wheel of the No. 54 Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for at least three races this season.
Please join us in welcoming birthday boy @JHNemechek to the JGR family! John Hunter will drive the team's No. 54 Toyota Supra in three #NASCAR Xfinity races: Bristol (9/17), Texas (10/16) and Phoenix (11/6). @XfinityRacing #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/1zY8QrnrDA
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) June 11, 2021
Nemechek is scheduled to drive the car at Bristol in September, Texas in October, and the season finale at Phoenix in November.
“I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Nemechek. “Just like I’ve said all year on the trucks side, I’m here to win races. I have a lot of confidence going into these races that we’re going to have a shot to win every time out. Chris (Gayle, crew chief) and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing have shown that they are capable of winning any given week and I expect to do the same.”
Currently leading the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings, the gamble for the Mooresville, NC, driver is paying off with three wins in Kyle Busch’s No. 4 Tundra. His start in September will mark the first time Nemechek is driving under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner.
“We are looking forward to having John Hunter in the car for these races,” said Steve de Souza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing. “He has shown his ability to excel in whatever he has driven, and he is having a fantastic season in the Truck Series. It is significant for our overall program to have drivers with experience in our cars and be able to provide feedback that ultimately helps all four teams continue to improve as we get closer to the Playoffs.”
The 24-year-old driver posted a cryptic tweet on Thursday, featuring five pens and four pieces of paper. Coincidentally or not, fans were able to correctly predict the news.
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— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) June 10, 2021
The No. 54 Supra has emerged as one of the best performing rides of the 2021 Xfinity Series season so far. Ty Gibbs scored two wins and six top-five finishes in the car among his seven starts. Kyle Busch added one win to the car’s tally.
According to a media release, sponsorship for the No. 54 will be announced at a later date.
