
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

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
At Las Vegas, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) driver John Hunter Nemechek won his maiden NASCAR Truck start for the team, holding off team owner Kyle Busch himself. Nemechek and Busch were a class apart on the day, but Nemechek just edged the NASCAR great to live up to his billing.
While the race winner was from his outfit, Busch was still unhappy to finish second. Another battle between the two drivers is on the cards on Saturday in Atlanta in the Truck race.
Busch admitted that Nemechek was just better than him in the end in Las Vegas, speaking ahead of the Atlanta race. While he does not like to lose, Busch is happy with how Nemechek has settled in at KBM.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad

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)
Kyle Busch looks back at his battle with John Hunter Nemechek
“At Las Vegas, John Hunter was a little bit better than us at the end of the race, and I hate I finished second, obviously. But it’s nice to see our Tundras getting used to their full potential and running up front,” Busch said during a media interaction.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Busch further spoke about his team’s driver, impressed with how he has settled into the outfit, winning in only his third start with the team.
“I’m excited to have John Hunter racing at KBM this year and to have Eric Phillips back on board. I felt like, when we were able to make that move over the offseason and pair those two together, it was going to be a winning combination,” Busch said further.
“Three races in, we’ve already reaped the benefits,” he added.

via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 06: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks on pit road during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Nemechek aims to continue winning run
Meanwhile, Nemechek wants to keep up his momentum, and another on-track battle with Busch will be very exciting to watch.
“We’re here to win races,” Nemechek expressed. “(Crew chief) Eric (Phillips) and I are on the same page. Kyle, Toyota, and all of our partners want to win, and that’s why we’re here. We are going to go try and win everything we can from poles to stages to practice to races,” he added.
Nemechek already has a win in Atlanta, back in 2016. While he will be confident to face Busch after the Las Vegas win, Atlanta will prove to be a big challenge due to Busch’s record there.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
READ MORE – Kyle Busch Bags Front Row Honors: Starting Line-Up for NASCAR Truck Series Race at Atlanta
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT