MOORESVILLE, N.C. – John Hunter Nemechek and 1992 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Joe Nemechek will compete as teammates for the first time since 2019 in the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Friday, August 26.
John Hunter Nemechek will pilot the No. 26 Freedom 13 Toyota GR Supra with crew chief Allen Hart, while his father, Joe Nemechek, will contend in the No. 24 FleetWing Toyota GR Supra with Eric Phillips atop the pit box, for Sam Hunt Racing.
“Running multiple cars at Daytona is always special, but adding a father and son combo to the history books is a really cool opportunity for our team,” said team owner, Sam Hunt. “John Hunter has been a big part of SHR’s growth, and to now have Joe join us at the tail end of his accomplished career is something I’ll cherish for a long time. Working with my dad throughout my entire racing career has been truly special, so I’m honored to be a part of this memorable moment for the Nemechek family and hope they are looking forward to it just as much as we are.”
In 2017, at the Daytona International Speedway, John Hunter Nemechek competed against his father in a NASCAR National Series event for the first time, also marking the first father and son to compete in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race together at Daytona since 2006.
The duo has competed against each other in 29 NCWTS events, 13 NXS events and three NASCAR Cup Series events in their careers. The duo has a single NXS start together at Daytona in July of 2019. The last time the father-son duo competed as teammates was on November 8, 2019, at Phoenix Raceway for the family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports.
“If this is to be my last time to race in a NASCAR event, I am looking forward to being a teammate again with my son,” said Joe Nemechek. “I am excited to race for Sam Hunt Racing as it shares many qualities with the foundation that NEMCO Motorsports was built upon. I see Sam Hunt Racing as a very strong team, and the wins and championships are coming soon. Racing with my son again is special, and my expectation is to be on the lead lap in the mix with John Hunter. I’m excited to see what happens.”
The NCWTS winningest crew chief Eric Phillips will call the shots for Joe Nemechek and the No. 24 team at Daytona International Speedway.
Phillips, who credits his opportunity in NASCAR to Joe’s late brother John Nemechek, has a career history of working with the Nemechek family.
Phillips’ first career NXS victory, as crew chief, was at Texas Motor Speedway in 2003 with Joe Nemechek. Phillips is currently the full-time crew chief for John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports team in the NCWTS.
The Wawa 250 at Daytona will be part of two-consecutive starts for John Hunter Nemechek with Sam Hunt Racing, as the 25-year-old will also pilot the No. 26 Freedom 13 Toyota GR Supra at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on September 3, before returning to SHR at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October.