Carrying on the racing pride for Kannaspolis, NC, Daniel Hemric smiles about his promotion to Cup in 2019. (Photo Credit: Stephen Conley)
New Driver, Old Feel
Richard Childress knows talent as he’s had some of the best in his stable of drivers. Following the announcement of his newest Cup driver Daniel Hemric, Childress praised the Kannapolis, NC native.
In fact, Childress said he sees a little of Dale Earnhardt in him, noting it’s all about the way that both drivers came up.
“This kid has a ton of heart,” Childress noted. “We’ve seen so much in Daniel. I’ve seen a lot of dirt late model racing with both of them, and Daniel certainly deserves this.”
Hemric grew up in Kannapolis, NC, racing dirt late models while idolizing Dale Earnhardt. Suffice to say, he has gone through a lot to get here, and he observed how patience is everything in getting to Cup.
“I’ve spent so much time working on cars to get here,” Hemric said. “It’s all about sacrifice.”
Childress added, “Daniel is a racer. He hasn’t had it handed to him, he earned every bit of it.”
Naturally, Hemric expressed gratitude and excitement with his promotion.
“I’m thrilled to be doing this,” Hemric added. “I wanted to be here, and Richard knew this was where I wanted to be. I went to him one day and said, please help me to not have to make this decision.”
Drive Outside Of The Car
“I’ve been a little stubborn trying to get here,” Hemric observed. “Never giving up, even when others where having things handed to them…I had to believe in myself. Then, I started to see that this may actually happen.”
Hemric added that he started to see others believing in him.
Earlier in the day, Ryan Preece, a driver with a similar background who worked hard to get to Cup, announced his intentions for 2019. Along the same lines, Hemric was surprised to hear that happened, as he was in the XFINITY car during practice.
“That’s awesome,” Hemric said. “I didn’t even know it. It just shows that it can be done.”
Hemric will start 11th in the Bank Of America ROVAL 400 on Sunday. Noting his confidence in his young driver, Childress advised the press that they may return to the media center on Sunday.
Of course, there have been plenty of emotions with this latest move.
“My phone won’t stop going off as I sit here and announce this,” Hemric said. “It’s just humbling as this has finally happening and seeing all the people that have supported me.”
