LEXINGTON, N.C. – Daniel Hemric has signed a deal to drive for Kaulig Racing in the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series, the team announced Saturday afternoon.
Hemric, who’s earned 39 top fives and 66 top-10 finishes in 113 series races, will pilot Kaulig’s flagship No. 11 Chevrolet as Justin Haley goes full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing with the team next year.
“The belief that Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice have in me to come drive their notable No. 11 car means the world to me,” Hemric said. “Equally, I believe in their program, their vision, and what they’re building at Kaulig Racing. It’s impressive to see how they’ve become an elite, multi-car Xfinity Series program in such a short period of time.
“I’m just incredibly thankful for the opportunity to drive for them next year, and I’m ready to put in the work to continue building on the team’s success,” he added.
Hemric, currently sixth in this year’s series championship chase, made the Championship 4 round of the Xfinity Series playoffs in both 2017 and ’18 with Richard Childress Racing.
Kaulig Racing entered the Xfinity Series scene with its No. 11 Chevy in 2016. This year marked the first season Kaulig Racing has fielded three, full-time entries in the series. All three Kaulig Racing drivers are set to race for this year’s Xfinity Series championship, beginning with the first playoff race on Sept. 25.
“We’re excited to welcome Daniel to our Kaulig Racing family,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “Daniel is a strong competitor, and we think he will make a great addition to our Xfinity Series program. Statistically, Daniel ranks right among the Kaulig Racing cars each week on the racetrack, so it’s fitting that we bring in someone who will only continue to make us better.”
Kaulig Racing earned the this year’s Xfinity Series regular season title with A.J. Allmendinger, as well as the feat of second-fastest team to win a race in the NASCAR Cup Series. Allmendinger won the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year.
“Kaulig Racing has come a long way in just a few short years, and that’s something I’m truly proud of,” said Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing. “This year, we stepped it up by having three, full-time entries in the Xfinity Series and competing in the Cup Series part-time.
“We blew all expectations out of the water when we won our first Cup race with AJ Allmendinger, won the regular-season championship in the Xfinity Series, and got all three of our full-time drivers into the playoffs,” Kaulig added. “We think Daniel is a great pick to help us elevate our program.”
Kaulig Racing will continue its big season beginning this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first round of the Xfinity Series playoffs. Partnership announcements for Hemric and the No. 11 Chevrolet will come at a later date.