CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Daniel Hemric loves short-track racing.
The Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Xfinity Series driver made a name for himself on short tracks across the Southeast long before he got his opportunity to race in NASCAR.
He first landed in the public eye when he won the Legends Million at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2010, a Legend Car race that paid a whopping $250,000 to the winner and $10,000 to start the feature.
It was only the start of Hemric’s winning ways on short tracks. In the seasons that followed, Hemric traveled across the United States racing asphalt late models, capturing countless victories and multiple championships.
In 2012, he earned the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour title and followed it up with a championship in the Southern Super Series one year later. He also has marquee wins in the Redbud 400 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway and the All American 400 at Nashville (Tenn.) Fairgrounds Speedway on his résumé.
However, Hemric understands that sometimes one must put aside passion in order to focus on something more important.
Hemric is in the midst of what is arguably his best season in NASCAR. In his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hemric is among the front runners on a weekly basis. By early May, he was second in the Xfinity Series standings and had led more than 200 laps, though, he had yet to visit victory lane.
It’s obvious that Hemric is finally hitting his stride in NASCAR, so it should come as no surprise that the Kannapolis, N.C., native is putting aside his love for short-track racing in order to focus on his NASCAR program.
“It’s no secret I’m at a tipping point career-wise,” Hemric acknowledged. “I’ve gotta be immersed in what I’m doing. That’s what I’m focused on.”
Despite being one of the best short-track racers in recent memory, it’s not been an easy road for Hemric in NASCAR. He’s struggled to find his footing, running well but not winning in any of NASCAR’s three national divisions.
He had an impressive season in the Xfinity Series in 2018, earning 16 top-five finishes and a third-place championship finish while driving for Richard Childress Racing. His consistency earned Hemric a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series with RCR the following year.
Things did not go as planned. In 36 races, Hemric earned only one top-five result and two top-10 finishes. By season’s end, Hemric had been informed he was out of a job, with RCR promoting two-time Xfinity Series champion Tyler Reddick to take Hemric’s place.
He could have given up and returned to short-track racing. Instead, Hemric has toughed it out. He landed a part-time deal with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series last year, but was hired as a full-time driver for Joe Gibbs Racing this offseason.
Hemric believes he belongs and wants to prove it to everyone who has doubted him up to this point. That’s why despite his love for short-track racing, he has shifted his focus to his NASCAR career.
“My heart will always be in short-track racing, especially super late models,” Hemric said. “I owe a lot to that discipline. I for sure will be back in super late models in the years to come. I’m not sure this year is going to be the year or not.”
Meanwhile, Hemric is spending his free time trying to better himself behind the wheel. He recently dabbled in micro sprint racing, driving a car owned by his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell.
It’s all about being a better driver and making sure he’s at his absolute best when he climbs into his Toyota Supra.
“I’m actually more so working on just driving craft of my own. I’m testing some micro sprint stuff, some stuff on dirt,” Hemric said. “What does Daniel Hemric need to do to make himself better?
“I want to be put outside of my comfort zone and doing some of the dirt stuff right now is doing that. I think that’ll help translate as I go to my real job on the weekends.”
There will come a time when Hemric returns to racing on short tracks, it’s simply a question of when. He can’t bring himself to part with his own late model, which should tell you everything you need to know about his love for that type of racing.
That won’t change anytime soon.