Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Feb. 22, 2020
Track Specs: 1.5-mile oval / 200 laps
Weather: Clear; 60 degrees until rain postponed event to Sunday, Feb. 23
No. 8 South Point Chevrolet Camaro
Start: 10th
Finish: 35th
Synopsis: Daniel Hemric was running strong inside the top five during the rain-marred NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before an incident on lap 18 badly damaged the right-side of the JR Motorsports Camaro. Despite the best efforts at making repairs, the damage was deemed too severe to continue, relegating Hemric with a 35th-place finish.
Stage One Finish: 35th
With rain cancelling qualifying on Saturday morning, the field was set based off of the 2019 NXS Owner’s Points, per the NASCAR Rulebook, meaning that Hemric lined up for the 200-lap event from the 10th position. From the drop of the green flag Hemric charged forward, needing just two laps to race into the top five and up to fourth. The Kannapolis, N.C. native maintained his top-five track position until an incident coming off of the fourth corner on lap 18 badly damaged both the right-front and right-rear of the South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet.
During the ensuing caution period, crew chief Taylor Moyer called Hemric to pit road numerous times for repairs in the hopes of gaining as many positions as possible. Returning to the track following the repairs on lap 21, the JRM driver soldiered on for the final 24 laps of Stage One to take the green-and-white checkered flag in 35th.
While under the stage-ending caution, the decision was made to take the South Point Chevrolet back to the garage as it was determined that the damage was too severe to be able to continue in the race.
As a result, Hemric was ultimately scored with a 35th-place finish.
Hemric quotes:
“I hate that we had some trouble today with our South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet. We were able to make a lot of moves there at the start and I felt like we were in a good position coming to the competition caution. It’s just unfortunate that we had some trouble but I can’t thank all of the guys on this JR Motorsports team enough. We fought hard all weekend and I can’t wait to get back after it next week in California.”