MOORESVILLE, NC.: John Hunter Nemechek is staying put for the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season.
Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced Thursday that Nemechek will return to the driving duties of the No. 4 Toyota Tundra for the full 23-race season next year.
2022 will mark Nemechek’s sophomore season with the powerhouse Truck Series operation.
The organization also announced that Eric Phillips, the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, will once again be in charge atop the pit box for Nemechek and the No. 4 team next season.
With two races remaining in the 2021 season, the son of former NASCAR Cup Series winner Joe Nemechek leads the Truck Series in wins (five), top-fives (12), driver rating (114.5), average finish (8.5) and average running position (6.961).
The 24-year-old driver is also tied for the most top-10s (15) and ranks second in laps led (570). He captured the regular season championship and with one race remaining in the Round of 8 of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs, sits 36 points above the cutoff line for advancing to the Championship 4 at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on Fri., Nov. 5, 2021.
“I came to Kyle Busch Motorsports because it was an opportunity to get back to victory lane — I accomplished my goal of being here for wins and I’m excited to be coming back for more next year,” Nemechek said.
“With the support of Kyle and Samantha (Busch), everyone at KBM and everyone at Toyota and TRD, I’ve been able to experience the thrill of victory alongside my long-term partners ROMCO, Fire Alarm Services, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety and Safeway, and we were also able to get Mobil 1 back to victory lane for KBM.
“We have some unfinished business left trying to bring the championship trophy home to KBM this year and then we’ll go to work on the brand new 2022 Tundra so that we can compete for more wins and another championship next year.”
Last fall, Kyle Busch Motorsports with the goal of returning to the series’ domination announced the hiring of Nemechek to replace rookie Raphael Lessard.
While Nemechek gave up a mid-pack NASCAR Cup Series opportunity with Front Row Motorsports, his success in the Truck Series with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team this year has not only increased his clout, but launched KBM back into familiar territories within the Truck Series platforms.
“It’s been refreshing to see John Hunter get the No. 4 Tundra back out front leading laps, winning races and competing for a championship this year like it had in the past and it’s important for us that we are able to keep him in that seat for another season,” team owner Kyle Busch said.
“In addition to the accomplishments of the No. 4 team this season, the efforts that John Hunter and Eric have put in behind the scenes have helped keep that winning edge of performance in our whole program. I’m pumped to have the both of them back leading the charge at KBM as we roll out the new 2022 Tundra TRD Pro’s next season to continue our winning ways.”
Nemechek, in his first season driving for KBM, collected his first victory of the season at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in March, he also produced wins at Richmond (Va.) Raceway in April, Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in May and in June was victorious at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth and Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa.
The second generation driver is an 11-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports in addition to his triumphs this season.
Across 121 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, he has compiled two poles, 1,169 laps led, 40 top-five and 65 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.4.
Sponsor announcements for the 2022 season are forthcoming.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
