BRISTOL, Tenn: Daniel Hemric is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024.
Hemric, 32, will return to Kaulig Racing next season and will drive the organization’s No. 31 Chevrolet full-time, replacing Justin Haley, who previously announced he will transition to Rick Ware Racing next year.
“This is a big day, and it means so much to my family and me,” Hemric said Friday at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. “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.”
Hemric is currently in his sophomore Xfinity Series season with Kaulig and is in the hunt for his second Xfinity Series title when their Playoffs begin in Friday night’s Food City 300 at Bristol.
The 2021 Xfinity Series champion joined Kaulig in 2022 to compete in Xfinity and also made select Cup starts for the team that year.
Hemric will return to the sport’s pinnacle division full-time since 2019 when he drove in one season for Richard Childress Racing.
Across 47 total Cup starts, Hemric has delivered one pole, one top-five and three top-10 finishes. He earned a career-high fifth at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in the fall race of his rookie season.
“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 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.”
Team owner Matt Kaulig said the two-car team began working on Hemric’s graduation back to Cup since February this year.
“Daniel’s grit and determination both on and off track are what make him such an integral part of our Kaulig Racing family,” added 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.”
Marketing partners for the No. 31 team will be announced at a later date and the team did not confirm a crew chief to lead Hemric’s efforts.
Kaulig Racing team principals also did not elaborate on their driver of their No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro in Cup next season. Current driver AJ Allmendinger has been rumored to be returning to the Xfinity Series in 2024.
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