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BROOKLYN, MI – AUGUST 14: Daniel Hemric, driver of the #14 California Clean Power Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
via Getty
BROOKLYN, MI – AUGUST 14: Daniel Hemric, driver of the #14 California Clean Power Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
After a sensational last turn move at Martinsville, Daniel Hemric not only won the first race of his career but also the 2021 Xfinity Series title. Hemric was on the moon and all the NASCAR community celebrated his historic, emotional, and unique win.
But now, it seems the driver who competes full time in the second tier of NASCAR could make a step up to the first tier.
This is because the former JR Motorsports driver has been included in the list of drivers to test the Next Gen car at the Charlotte Roval. Hemric will test for Kaulig Racing, a team for which he drove in the 2019 campaign and will move back to in 2022 in the Xfinity Series.
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Cup test 8a-4p ET Wed & Fri (not testing Thu so can evaluate/set plan for Fri) at Charlotte oval. NASCAR stream on website (holiday light show in grandstands so no fan access). 1-2 car teams get 1 car, 3-4 car teams get 2. Can use multiple drivers. Who is testing for most teams: pic.twitter.com/TY3WmKQFu9
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 13, 2021
Kaulig Racing will be the newest addition to the Cup Series in 2022 with two charters. Justin Haley will drive the No. 16 car, but the second car will consist of a “rotation of drivers.”
This opens up room for speculation for Daniel Hemric’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series. Although, even if he did race in the Cup Series, it would most probably be as a part-time driver in the second car.
But he could impress his team in the testing and in all the opportunities he gets because Hemric has some Cup Series experience under his belt.
Daniel Hemric has impressed in Cup Series before
A 27-year-old Hemric made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2018. He only made two starts in the campaign with a 32nd and 23rd place finish.
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But in 2019, Hemric drove full-time for Richard Childress Racing. And his one season as a full-time driver in the Cup Series was an impressive one.
This is because, in 36 starts, he finished twice in the Top 10 and 14 times in the Top 20. His best results came as a fifth-place finish in Talladega. Hemric didn’t win any race in that season, or for a few more years. But we all know how that turned out, don’t we?
via Getty
BROOKLYN, MI – AUGUST 14: Daniel Hemric, driver of the #14 California Clean Power Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 at Michigan International Speedway on August 14, 2015 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
So, his fans would hope that Hemric makes a comeback to the Cup Series in 2022. Because a driver of his talent should drive amongst the very best that NASCAR has to offer.
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Also Read: Daniel Hemric Sheds Light on His Mindset After Being Heartbreakingly Cut by RCR in 2019
