NASCAR Cup Series: Daniel Hemric to drive for Richard Childress Racing in 2019

Daniel Hemric is set to drive for Richard Childress Racing as the replacement for Ryan Newman in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Daniel Hemric, who currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as the driver of the #21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, is set to replace Ryan Newman at Richard Childress Racing in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season, as expected.

The 27-year-old Kannapolis, North Carolina native, who has driven full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfintiy Series since last season, is set to replace the 40-year-old South Bend, Indiana native as the driver of the #31 Chevrolet, although it is not yet known whether or not the #31 Chevrolet will continue to be the #31 Chevrolet or if it will become the #8 Chevrolet.

It was confirmed a few weeks ago that Newman would not be returning to Richard Childress Racing next season, and it was confirmed earlier this week that he is set to replace Matt Kenseth and Trevor Bayne as the driver of the #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in 2019.

The confirmation of Hemric replacing Newman finalizes Richard Childress Racing’s lineup for the 2019 season, as Austin Dillon is set to return for his sixth season behind the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet next year.

Richard Childress Racing are set to continue to operate as a two-car team, and they are set to continue to have a technical alliance with German Racing, whose lone driver is Ty Dillon, the driver of the #13 Chevrolet.

Here is what Hemric had to say about the opportunity to drive for Richard Childress Racing in the 2019 season, according to ESPN.

"“All along in my heart, I knew where I wanted to be and this was the path and this is where I wanted to land no matter how it shook out. There were times…where I looked at [team owner Richard Childress] and said, ‘Please help me not make this decision.’“And that’s exactly what he did. He made it to where he knew this is where I wanted to be, and no matter what was being offered or thrown at me that if it can be worked out in some way, shape or form, RCR was my home.“All those [long] nights, that’s what it’s all about, right? So many people want to have this opportunity and they work their whole life for it.”"

Here is what Richard Childress Racing team owner Richard Childress had to say about signing Hemric to drive for the team in the 2019 season, according to ESPN.

"“I’ve been watching Daniel since he was a young boy…I saw then the talent that Daniel had. To be able to make the largest move of his career and put him in a Cup car, I think back to other drivers like Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Austin Dillon, Ty [Dillon] — these are the drivers that I looked at their talent when they were very young and fortunate to put them in cars and be able to go out and win races.“Daniel falls right in the line with those guys. He has all the talent it takes to win. He will be a winner. He will race for championships.”"