Five-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) winner John Hunter Nemechek will have an opportunity to showcase his ability in the NASCAR XFINITY Series as the second-generation driver will run a limited XFINITY schedule in 2018 for Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR).
Announced Tuesday afternoon, Nemechek will drive the No. 42 Chevrolet in multiple races next season. He will share the ride with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series star Kyle Larson with veteran crew chief Mike Shiplett calling the shots as crew chief.
The opening XFINITY Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway is set for Sat., Feb. 17. However, John Hunter Nemechek’s first race with CGR has not been announced.
Nemechek’s graduation to XFINITY will have support from Fire Alarm Services Inc. The Arvada, Co.-based company has been a supporter of the 20-year-old at NEMCO Motorsports, his family-owned team in the Truck Series the past two seasons.
“We are happy to have John Hunter join our organization and also announced the relationship with Fire Alarm Services,” said owner Chip Ganassi. “We had a very successful 2017 with our Xfinity program and look to improve upon that. We feel that John Hunter has the talent to be a future star in the sport and can’t wait to get him behind the wheel.”
The Mooresville, N.C.-native competed in the Truck Series Playoffs for the second consecutive season after winning back-to-back races at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park and Iowa Speedway respectively.
The son of former Cup Series driver Joe Nemechek made it to the Round of 6 but missed competing for the Championship 4 after sour finishes of 30th and 19th at Martinsville and Texas Motor Speedway.
Like 2016, he finished eighth in points. Nemechek also was voted the series’ Most Popular Driver in 2015.
In 76 Truck Series starts, Nemechek has five wins, one pole, 22 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes.
2018 won’t be the first time that has ties within the Chip Ganassi Racing umbrella. 1992 XFINITY Series champion Joe Nemechek competed for SABCO Racing from 1997 – 99. SABCO was owned by Chip Ganassi Racing co-owner Felix Sabates.
The elder Nemechek scored his first of four career Cup Series victory for Sabates at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Sept. 1999 with sponsorship from BellSouth Mobility.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Nemechek. “I feel like their cars and organization were the talk of the garage in 2017 and I hope to play a part in continuing their run of success in 2018 and beyond.
“Also, Fire Alarm Services has been a supporter of my career since 2016 at our family-owned team and I am looking forward to continuing that partnership at Chip Ganassi Racing. I am extremely grateful to Shannon and Connie Smith, owners of Fire Alarm Services, Inc. I also want to thank my father for all that he has done to help grow my passion for racing.”
When it comes to NEMCO Motorsports, they hope to remain in business.
Joe Nemechek has maintained that the team will again be on track and is seeking sponsorship and opportunities with different drivers. The team also finished seventh in the owner’s standings after two wins, eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 23 races.
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