"It ultimately came down to family" - Daniel Hemric on why moving to Truck Series isn’t a step back
Daniel Hemric has shared his thoughts on moving from the NASCAR Cup Series to the Truck Series in 2025. While several factors were considered, Hemric said the decision to drive a stock pickup racing truck ultimately came down to family matters.
Hemric is a 33-year-old professional stock car racing driver who previously drove for Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series. He will move to the Truck Series next year with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, and is set to drive the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado RST.
Speaking with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the Kannapolis native discussed his decision to walk away from the premier series.
“It's a question that I actually, you know, had to lean heavily on to myself a couple of nights there, laying in bed, just, you know, trying to think of what you wanted to achieve. You know, what are some of the goals that you want to accomplish? […] It ultimately came down to a lot of it was family related,” Hemric said [at the start of the video].
In response to people saying he took a step back, Hemric argued that the pickup truck-based racing series is still one of the top three in NASCAR.
“So when I when I say taking a step back, or hear people say taking a step back, I'm like, my goodness, you're still competing at, you know, one of the top three series of the sport that you only dreamed of competing at from the age of five,” the 33-year-old driver stated. [0:50]
Daniel Hemric hopes to race in the Truck Series for victories and the championship to share winning moments with his family, saying:
“Winning and having the opportunity to compete at the highest levels […] like experiencing those winning moments, you know, with my now wife, Kenzie […] it's all it's weighed on me that my kids haven't really got to experience much of that, and this opportunity gives me a chance to make some of those lifetime memories with them, and I think we'll have that opportunity to do that at MHR in 2025 and hopefully well beyond that.” [1:25]
Aside from winning for the family, the Truck Series-bound driver has the opportunity to race for wins on NAPA’s 100th anniversary. The 2025 season will also mark McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s 35th year of partnership with the American auto parts retailer.
NASCAR insider believes Daniel Hemric can win the Truck Series championship
Toby Christie, editor-in-chief of Racing America on Sports Illustrated, took to X (formerly Twitter) to react to Daniel Hemric’s move to the NASCAR Truck Series. The NASCAR insider believes the driver has a legitimate chance of winning the championship with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing next year.
Winning a Truck Series championship title would put Daniel Hemric in elite company, considering he already earned an Xfinity Series championship in 2021.
Christie shared:
"Daniel Hemric has a legitimate shot at becoming a champion in two of #NASCAR's three National Series as he will pilot the No. 19 Chevrolet Silverado for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2025."
Hemric will enter his third full-time Truck Series campaign next year. The 2025 season will kick off at the Daytona International Speedway on February 14.