Indeed, John Hunter Nemechek schooled Saturday’s Truck race at Texas. (Photo: Sean Folsom/The Podium Finish)
Without delay, John Hunter Nemechek continually rises his stock in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Following a 15 day reprieve, Nemechek and his Truck competitors took on Texas Motor Speedway on a rather hot day.
However, John Hunter Nemechek rarely put a foot wrong in Saturday’s SpeedyCash.com 220. Instead, the 24-year-old racer showcased his No. 4 ROMCO Equipment Co. Toyota Tundra’s might at the 1.5-mile speedway.
Starting from the pole as a result of metric qualifying, Nemechek enjoyed clean air in stage 1. As Nemechek led the way, problems ensued for defending series champion Sheldon Creed. After winning last fall’s Playoff Truck race, Creed’s Saturday afternoon proved forgettable at Texas.
Namely, Creed brought out the race’s first two cautions for accidents in turn 2. Consequently, Creed placed 35th.
Chiefly, John Hunter Nemechek provided another memorable day for Kyle Busch Motorsports. (Photo: Sean Folsom/The Podium Finish)
Meanwhile, Nemechek won stage 1 with Austin Hill, Ben Rhodes, Chandler Smith and Stewart Friesen rounding out the top five.
Texas Four Stop
Stage 2 saw some on track excitement with Zane Smith, Tanner Gray and Derek Kraus joining the fight. While this trio ran toward the front of the field, trouble ensued for Friesen and Carson Hocevar when both drivers tangled around turn 3 resulting in a caution on lap 53.
Nonetheless, Smith won stage 2 with Gray, Kraus, Brennan Poole and Josh Berry completing the top five.
Once the final stage kicked off, Chase Elliott, driving the No. 24 Adrenaline Shoc Chevrolet Silverado, led the way for 31 laps. Granted, Nemechek excelled on long runs, recapturing the lead from Elliott on lap 109.
Other than Smith leading for five laps between laps 121 to 125, Nemechek was like an Eagles song – “Already Gone.”
Much like Las Vegas, Richmond and Charlotte, Nemechek drove his way to victory lane at Texas. After putting on a smoke show for fans, Nemechek, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday (June 11), based in his latest glory.
In this case, Nemechek capped off his birthday weekend with a Texas triumph. (Photo: Sean Folsom/The Podium Finish)
Winning Words
“Yea, I definitely think so,” Nemechek said when asked if his team made a statement. “I feel like we’ve been making a statement all year. I feel like we’re one of the favorites every time that we show up to the racetrack. And I can’t say enough about Eric Philips, Jimmy (Villeneuve, truck chief), Steve (Becker, tire technician), Tyler (Keiper, underneath mechanic), [and] Rick (Litrap, Jr.), our Truck driver, everyone in our pit crew, [and] everyone back at KBM as well.
“Everyone does so good with building our trucks. I’m just lucky enough to be behind the wheel. It’s amazing to get win number four here.”
Most importantly, Nemechek extended his point lead from 44 to 78 markers over Rhodes while Hill, Todd Gilliland, Smith, Creed, Grant Enfinger, Matt Crafton, Friesen and Hocevar complete the top 10 points standings after race 11 of the season.
Next, the Truck Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for its first race since July 22, 2011, for Friday night’s (June 18) Rackley Roofing 200. In this case, Nemechek looks for his fifth win as the second half of the Truck Series season kicks off in “The Music City.” FS1 provides the telecast at 8 p.m. ET with practice and qualifying rounds ahead of the race.
Top 10 finishing order at Texas
Nemechek-Elliott-Enfinger-Hill-Chandler Smith/Zane Smith-Gilliland-Ankrum-Gray-Berry
