Gere Kennon: “If you can’t get your hands dirty, you don’t need to come through the doors.”
John Hunter Nemechek placed himself in a position to win the race at Martinsville by accident. The driver was called to pit road during a caution toward the end.
However, the team had radio communication issues and Nemechek didn’t get that call. Instead, he stayed out on the race track and restarted in 3rd position. A few laps later, Nemechek found himself in the lead as his back bumper took a beating.
“I felt pretty confident going into Martinsville about our truck. This is actually the truck that we won both races with last year,” John Hunter Nemechek stated from the Martinsville Speedway media center.
In 2017, John Hunter Nemechek won back-to-back NASCAR Truck Series event. Those wins both came on short tracks via Gateway Motorsports Park and the following event at Iowa Speedway.
His next best finish was a 2nd place run at ISM Raceway. A 3rd at Bristol and 5th at Eldora Speedway. Pocono and Daytona were the only exceptions to his short track success. The other 15 races netted results outside the top-five.
“We decided to bring it here to Martinsville for the first time, this year. We unloaded with a lot of speed.”
Nemechek had to fight off pressure from Kyle Benjamin. He didn’t wreck him. It was a great short track race. The race leader expected it.
“I knew the shot was coming there at the end. I kept giving up a little bit of grip and turn in with the front tires at the end. I was just hoping that I was gunna be able to maintain.”
“He definitely gave me a shot there. But, I knew it was coming.”
John Hunter Nemechek drives for NEMCO Motorsports. The team debuted in 1989 at North Carolina Speedway in the NASCAR Busch Series. In 1999, Joe Nemechek claimed the Rookie of the Year award with five top-10 runs. By 1992, the team claimed the series title.
The now NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team is still owned by his father, front-row Joe Nemechek. In total, the team has 4 guys at the shop that put the race trucks together, driver included.
“My dad has given me everything I’ve ever needed in order to continue to progress through my career. Running the Allison Legacy Series and running super late model races across the country.”
Now, John Hunter Nemechek is taking small steps in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for 2018. John Hunter Nemechek will make his next NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway come April.
“Another short track I really like. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Xfinity car.”
John Hunter Nemechek isn’t a full-time driver in the NXS or NCWTS. However, he’s now locked into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs.
“I’m sure Dad and myself are definitely going to try and run for it. I think that Dad’s still trying to fill out some of the races for the rest of the year. Whether that’s another driver coming in, an up and coming driver or us finding more sponsorship.”
“Dad’s going to keep it going, somehow, someway, now that we have a win. To try and race for that owners title.”
“We definitely can’t outspend some of the other teams out there. But, we can definitely outsmart and out work them.”
Father Joe Nemechek is currently 12th in the owners’ standings.
Gere Kennon
“A lot of people don’t believe it but there’s only four of us. We hang all our own bodies and we do a lot at night. Joe’s right in there diggin’ with us. We just dig hard and try to do the best we can every week,” Gere Kennon explained.
“I’m proud to be in on the deal. I always seam to do better with the smaller deals. There’s not near as many politics and stuff that goes on.”
“If you can’t get your hands dirty, you don’t need to come through the doors. I like hands on, I’m a hands on person. We got everything we need. I think if you get too big, it might hurt us.”
“It’s all about pushing him to be in the Monster Energy. No matter if he drives for us or not, I’m still going to help him, no matter what.”
The team has the luxury of owning their own CNC machine shop. They can make their own parts to save some money. In addition, the team will also make parts for other teams to keep the lights on.
“If you can dream it, we can make it.”
Martinsville Speedway Finish
NASCAR Truck Series
March 2018
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Related: Martinsville Speedway Truck Series Results
