No. 8 Bass Pro Shops / Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Started: 29th
Finished: 34th
Synopsis:
Daniel Hemric's inaugural Daytona 500 was filled with ups-and-downs, typical of restrictor plate racing. Despite the challenges, Hemric and the No. 8 team fought their way into contention late, running inside the top 10 with under 20 laps remaining. But, on lap 192, just eight laps shy of the finish, Hemric was caught up in a 22-car pileup entering Turn 3, which triggered the end of his race. Hemric did spend time running with the leaders and was the only rookie in the race to lead a lap.
From Daniel:
"This No. 8 team has busted their tails over the last two weeks trying to prepare for the Daytona 500. It was good to lead a few laps and run up front at times.
I thought we were in good shape on the second to last restart before the crash. We lined up sixth and we got hung up behind a car that had damage and it drug the whole top line back. You get that accordion effect on corner entry and I saw the No. 95 get turned around at the front of the field and at that point there was a road block across the track. You're trying to make moves in the pack, but you're going so fast and everyone is trying to get to the end of the race and there is just nowhere to go.
I hate it for everyone on this Bass Pro Shops / Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team. The car was damaged but we were still going to be able to finish, but NASCAR told us to park it for moving under the red. The car rolled down the banking and moved away from the incident so they could get to the other wrecked cars. At the end of the day, we will count our blessings and go on to Atlanta."
Next:
Atlanta: Folds of Honor 500
Sunday, Feb. 24
2 p.m. EST
Fox, PRN, Sirius XM 90