via Getty
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 02: John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the #8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series test session at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
via Getty
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 02: John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the #8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series test session at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, reports emerged that John Hunter Nemechek would drive for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Xfinity team. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed, and not for the better. Owing to certain issues, the 24-year-old will stick to the Truck Series, with Ty Gibbs getting another crack.
Some suggest that everything boiled down to sponsorship, or the lack of thereof. So, Gibbs will be handed the wheel at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Meanwhile, JGR have tweaked Nemechek’s schedule to include Talladega, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway. At Las Vegas and Martinsville, Gibbs will be back in the #54 car, as he tries to prove himself for 2022.
Some things come down to sponsorship … Ty Gibbs will be in the JGR 54 Xfinity car at Bristol … John Hunter Nemechek will add Talladega to plans to do Texas and Phoenix. https://t.co/dISqsEwrMd
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 13, 2021
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Nemechek’s altered plan was confirmed when NASCAR revealed the unofficial lineups for Bristol. Of course, the officials revealed the lineups for all three categories. Sadly, this will mean that Nemechek’s first Xfinity race with Joe Gibbs Racing will have to wait a little while longer.
John Hunter Nemechek will be frustrated
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The driver will undoubtedly be disappointed to not make his JGR debut. He said, a while ago, “I am very excited about this opportunity. Just like I’ve said all year on the trucks side, I’m here to win races.
“I have a lot of confidence going into these races that we’re going to have a shot to win every time out. Chris (Gayle, crew chief) and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing have shown that they are capable of winning any given week and I expect to do the same.”
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 19, 2021; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver John Hunter Nemechek (4) leads Sheldon Creed (2) and Ben Rhodes (99) during the Brake Best Select 159 at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
For now, the driver will be focused on his NASCAR Truck Series campaign. He is currently battling with Sheldon Creed for the title and aiming to make it to the Championship 4. Although Creed has snatched two back-to-back wins, Nemechek is just two points adrift. Now, the battle resumes between the two at the Bristol Motor Speedway. At the same time, they also have to keep a wary eye out for the remaining Truck Series Playoff drivers.
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READ MORE: Joe Gibbs Racing Surprises John Hunter Nemechek With NASCAR Xfinity Drive for His Birthday
