DANIEL HEMRIC GRABS ANOTHER TOP-FIVE FINISH AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
Date: July 17, 2021
Event: Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 (Round 19 of 33)
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile oval)
Format: 200 laps (Stages: 45 laps / 45 laps / 110 laps)
Start / Finish: 13th / 3rd (Running, 200 of 200 laps)
Point Standing: 3rd (684 points, -113 points out of first)
Race Winner: Christopher Bell
Stage 1 Winner: Christopher Bell
Stage 2 Winner: Christopher Bell
Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-45)
Daniel Hemric started Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway from the 13th position and finished fifth in stage one.
The Poppy Bank Toyota Supra entered the top 10 on lap 2 and Hemric made his way into the top five on lap 34.
After holding on to the fifth position through the end of the segment, Hemric pitted for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment between stages.
Stage 2 Recap (Laps 46-90)
Hemric started ninth and finished third in stage two.
Early in the second segment, Hemric rejoined the top five on lap 62.
With less than 10 laps remaining in stage two, the Poppy Bank Supra moved into third as Hemric bypassed AJ Allmendinger after a fierce battle.
Hemric finished the stage third and brought his Poppy Bank Supra to pit road for four fresh tires, fuel, and another minor adjustment.
Stage 3 Recap (Laps 91-200)
Hemric started the final stage in the fourth position and finished third in Saturday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The No. 18 driver opted to restart in the high line to begin the final stage and slipped back to third on the opening lap.
He spent many laps battling with Justin Allgaier for the runner-up position. Eventually on lap 142, the Poppy Bank Supra cleared into second.
A caution on lap 149 brought the leaders to pit road for the final time. Crew chief Dave Rogers called for another four-tire pit stop and Hemric exited pit road in the second position.
Hemric lined up second with 45 laps remaining and fell back to third again as his car lacked grip on the first few laps after a restart.
Despite the handling improving over the long run, Hemric spent the remainder of the race looking high and low for a lane to pass Allgaier.
The Poppy Bank Supra ultimately ended the day third for Hemric’s eighth top-five finish of the season.
Additional Notes
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell led 151 laps on the way to his third Xfinity Series victory at the Magic Mile. Hemric ended the day third with Harrison Burton fifth and Brandon Jones 38th.
Next Up: The NASCAR Xfinity Series is off for the next two weekends before returning to action at Watkins Glen International. The race will be broadcast live Saturday, August 7, at 4 p.m. ET on CNBC, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
-JGR-