The rumors were true. Daniel Hemric is the unlucky driver losing a Cup ride for Ty Dillon in 2025. But this forthcoming race at Kansas could be the last time the two drivers ever compete as teammates under the Kaulig banner. After all, it would appear this is the second time Hemric’s future has turned unstable at the behest of Dillon’s glorious grandfather.

Despite earning the Rookie of the Year honor in 2019, Richard Childress Racing let the Kannapolis native go after only one full-time season. Half a decade later, Hemric awaits a similar fate, this time at RCR’s closest allies in the Cup Series—Kaulig Racing. Is this any way to treat a former Xfinity Series champion? The answer to that question is bound to leave the NASCAR community divided. Regardless, while some believe Hemric’s departure is unfair, the majority point to Ty Dillon’s ‘Childress’ ties being the key factor in the decision.

Daniel Hemric was left in the dust again by RCR

After struggling with Spire Motorsports and failing to secure a top-10 finish in 2023, Ty Dillon found himself without a team in 2024. He joined Rackley W.A.R. Racing in the Truck Series for a full-time season, but after disappointing results, he was replaced by Dawson Sutton just days before NASCAR’s Kansas race. However, Dillon is set to make his seventh Cup start this Sunday, driving Kaulig Racing’s #16 Chevy.

Next season, he will drive full-time for Kaulig Racing, raising questions about whether he can outperform Daniel Hemric. While Hemric has underperformed, Dillon hasn’t fared much better. Kaulig’s performance this year has been subpar, with ECR engines struggling, except for Trackhouse Racing. Although AJ Allmendinger has achieved several top-10 finishes in Kaulig cars, comparing his success to Dillon’s is tricky due to Allmendinger’s experience. Ultimately, expectations for Dillon’s performance in 2024 remain uncertain.

On the flip side, Hemric will be scrambling to find a ride in 2025. It would appear his championship-winning days are slowly winding down, although a man of his talents will not be unemployed for too long, and that is a guarantee. In a heartfelt Twitter announcement, the 33-year-old felt full of resolve when he wrote, “The desire to win on Sundays will always burn inside of me. I’m focused and full of intention to finish the last 7 races of this season as strong as we can, while continuing to build on whatever the next chapter of this journey holds for me. Matthew 17:20.” Clearly, that stoicism has been highly instrumental in helping Hemric get to where he is currently.

But according to Matt Kaulig, picking Dillon over Hemric “will be instrumental in continuing [Kaulig’s] Cup program in alliance with Richard Childress Racing.” Hence, like Ty Dillon himself, many diehards are “looking forward to what 2025 brings with this team.” However, as if to serve a reality check, the wider reactions online suggest that not everyone shares an optimistic outlook on the situation.

Family ties that bind (or break)

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Although some are happy to see Ty Dillon return to full-time Cup racing in 2025, the general opinion speculates his grandfather helped him get this ride. Both Dillon brothers are often subject to negative “nepotism” connotations, thanks to their blood relation to Richard Childress. And it certainly does not help that Ty and Austin will be driving for race teams that are either owned by their grandfather or closely allied with their grandfather’s race team.

“Talk about buying a f-cking ride. What a waste. Thank RC for another waste of a cup car in the track,” said one member of the NASCAR community responding to Jeff Gluck’s repost of Daniel Hemric’s heartfelt address. But the “nepotism” claims kept raining down on Ty Dillon and Richard Childress all over the internet. A Reddit user said it best, as they penned down their opinions on the NASCAR subreddit. “I get it. Racing is a business. Pay drivers are a thing. Nepotism is a thing. But damn, the whole Dillon brothers situation is just so off putting. Pop Pop seems more interested in using NASCAR as a play thing for his spoiled grandkids than actually fielding/funding rides for talented drivers.”

Others who agreed with this comment wrote things like, “Nepotism at its finest. Kaulig is already half a joke/mystery to have done a full time ride for AJ last year in cup, then full time Xfinity and part time this year cup ride, and now back to full time in cup with AJ and this yahoo.” They won’t have good races but they’re gonna be great at burning money!”

Since its inception, many in the NASCAR audience have assumed that the Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig-owned organization operates merely as a satellite team for Richard Childress Racing. While this is hardly the case, their growing dependence on RCR leaves little to the imagination. Furthermore, FOX journalist Bob Pockrass previously suggested that Dillon’s move to Kaulig will lead to “an increased alliance with RCR,” and that has amplified all negative emotions.

Nevertheless, there are a few who still believe that this is a “Huge win for Kaulig…” They assume strengthening the partnership with RCR means that the “Cars should only get faster.” Now, that remains to be seen. But surely, “Hemric has to HATE Richard Childress,” says one fan, which may/may not be true, although those details rarely go public in the 21st century.