NASCAR Cup Series: Daniel Hemric to drive the #8 Chevrolet in 2019

Daniel Hemric is set to drive the #8 Chevrolet as opposed to the #31 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Daniel Hemric, who is set to replace Ryan Newman at Richard Childress Racing as Austin Dillon’s teammate starting in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season, was originally slated to replace Newman behind the wheel of the #31 Chevrolet.

While the 27-year-old Kannapolis, North Carolina native is still set to replace Newman at Richard Childress Racing, he is now set to do so as the driver of the #8 Chevrolet.

The #8 car is well-known largely due to the fact that 15-time Most Popular Driver Award winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove it full-time from the 2000 season through the 2007 season after driving it in a few races in the 1999 season as well.

The late Dale Earnhardt also made his first career Cup Series start driving the #8 Negre Racing Dodge in the May race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the 1975 season.

Here is a picture of Hemric’s ride for the 2019 Daytona 500, the 2019 season opener.

Here is what Hemric had to say about the fact that he is set to drive the #8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“Growing up in Kannapolis, it was all about racing. I always dreamed of having the opportunity to drive for RCR and for Richard himself. Now, two iconic numbers, the 3 and the 8, are going to be under one roof. I know it makes Richard happier than anybody, just understanding what that means for the sport of NASCAR and how our fans are going to be able to connect with that.”"

Here is what Richard Childress Racing team owner Richard Childress had to say about the fact that Hemric is set to drive the #8 Chevrolet for the team in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“It’s a perfect fitting. Dale Jr. was his hero back in the day and for him to be able to drive an 8 that’s so iconic for the Kannapolis area, that says a lot. He’s excited, I can tell you.”"

Hemric made his first two career Cup Series starts this past season as a teammate to Dillon, who drives the #3 Chevrolet, and Newman, and he did so as the driver of the #8 Chevrolet.

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Hemric competed in the April race at Richmond Raceway and the September race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval. He finished those two races in 32nd and 23rd place after starting them in 22nd and 11th, respectively.

Prior to these two races, the #8 car had not been used in the Cup Series since Aric Almirola drove it part-time in the 2009 season for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. The last season during which the #8 car was driven full-time was the 2008 season, the season during which Mark Martin drove it in 24 races and Almirola drove it in the other 12 races for Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Hemric is set to enter his career as a full-time Cup Series driver having competed full-time for NTS Motorsports and Brad Keselowski Racing in the Truck Series in the 2015 season and the 2016 season, respectively, and having competed full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Hemric finished in seventh and sixth place in the Truck Series championship standings in the 2015 season and the 2016 season, respectively, and he finished in fourth and third in the Xfinity Series championship standings in the 2017 season and the 2018 season, respectively. He did not win any races in either series.

Daniel Hemric’s first race as the full-time driver of the #8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet is scheduled to get the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season underway on Sunday, February 17, 2019. This race, the Daytona 500, is set to be broadcast live from Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on Fox starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Be sure not to miss this race or any of the other 35 races on next season’s schedule.