In NASCAR, climbing to the top is every driver’s dream. The Cup Series is the big show, the ultimate proving ground where only the best compete. Below it sits the Xfinity Series, often a springboard for rising stars. Then there’s the Truck Series, a scrappy, fast-paced circuit brimming with talent but widely seen as a developmental stage or a final destination for veterans looking to wind down their careers.

So when a driver shifts from Cup or Xfinity back to Trucks, it’s easy to slap the word “demotion” on the move. Fans and critics alike often jump to the conclusion that a driver’s career has hit a ditch.

So when Daniel Hemric, a former Xfinity Series champion and Cup Series competitor, recently announced he’s returning to the Truck Series full-time in 2025. The news turned heads, with many questioning why a 33-year-old driver with his resume would step away from higher tiers of NASCAR. But Hemric himself couldn’t be happier.

A move that’s all about more than racing

When Daniel Hemric first started thinking about his future in the sport, he did what most of us do when faced with a tough decision: he lay awake at night, weighing the pros and cons. And as he thought it through, one thing became clear.

“It ultimately came down to a lot of family-related things,” Hemric admitted. He’s a husband, a father to a two-year-old and a four-year-old, and a guy who’s spent years chasing NASCAR’s demanding schedule. The Truck Series offered something the Cup and Xfinity couldn’t: more time at home.

“Here at 33, with a growing family… the opportunity that comes with the truck schedule, what that does for the home life—it just made sense,” Hemric said. But his decision wasn’t purely logistical. Hemric spoke about something deeper—a yearning to share meaningful experiences with his kids. “Before ever getting to NASCAR, winning moments on the short-track side were something my wife, Kenzie, and I experienced together,” he shared. Now, he wants his children to witness those moments too.

“This opportunity gives me a chance to make some of those lifetime memories with them,” Hemric said, his excitement palpable.

For Hemric, moving back to the Truck Series wasn’t a resignation—it was an opportunity to reconnect with the things that matter most.

The Truck series isn’t second place—it’s a second chance for Daniel Hemric

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To some, leaving NASCAR’s Cup or Xfinity Series for the Truck Series might seem like taking a step backward. But Daniel Hemric sees things differently. “At five years old, you dream of racing in any of the NASCAR top three series,” he said. “And now, at 33, I’m still living that dream. So when I hear people call it a ‘step back,’ I think, ‘My goodness, I’m still competing at one of the highest levels of the sport.’”

Hemric will be racing the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR), a respected Truck Series team with a strong reputation. For him, the move isn’t just about family life—it’s also about reigniting his competitive fire.

His return to Trucks marks his first full-time season in the series since 2016 when he finished sixth in points. While Hemric has shown flashes of brilliance in Xfinity and Cup, his last few seasons have been frustratingly short on wins. Now, he sees the Truck Series as the perfect stage to turn things around.

And he knows the stakes. Winning at the Truck level isn’t easier—it’s just different. But Hemric is no stranger to challenges. He’s the same driver who clinched the 2021 Xfinity Championship in dramatic fashion with a last-lap pass at Phoenix. For him, this isn’t a step back—it’s a chance to shine.

“This championship opportunity at MHR in 2025 and hopefully well beyond that feels like the right move,” Hemric said confidently.

For fans, Daniel Hemric’s move is a reminder that NASCAR isn’t just about chasing trophies—it’s about finding joy in the race itself. Hemric is leaning into that joy, ready to balance family, competition, and the thrill of the track.

And for those calling it a demotion? Hemric has already tuned out the noise. He’s too busy looking ahead.