NASCAR: Daniel Hemric won’t return to Richard Childress Racing in 2020
By Asher Fair
Daniel Hemric will not return to Richard Childress Racing for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season following his rookie season in the Cup Series.
Daniel Hemric signed a two-year contract with Richard Childress Racing ahead of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season to drive the #8 Chevrolet after spending two seasons driving for the team in the Xfinity Series.
But despite the fact that the 2019 season was only his first season with the two-car team, the 28-year-old Kannapolis, North Carolina native has confirmed that he will not be returning to the organization for the 2020 season, as the team utilized an option in that contract to release him upon the conclusion of the season.
Hemric confirmed this news on Twitter.
Forever grateful to Richard & everyone at @RCRracing for the opportunity. I’m disappointed it ended like this, but we’ve got nine more races together & some team goals that are still within reach. I’m going to do all I can to make sure we get those & finish the season strong.
— Daniel Hemric (@DanielHemric) September 17, 2019
Richard Childress Racing also released a statement about the matter, according to NASCAR.
"“Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has exercised its option and will release Daniel Hemric as driver of the No. 8 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camaro ZL1 effective at the conclusion of the 2019 NASCAR race season. Daniel is a very talented driver and an outstanding person. We’d like to thank him for his commitment and dedication to RCR the past three years and wish him continued success in his future endeavors. Additional information on RCR’s Cup program will be announced at a later date.”"
Through the first 27 races of the 36-race season, Hemric sits in 25th place in the championship standings with two top 10 finishes, including a top five finish, and an average finish of 22.67. He also competed in the first two races of his Cup Series career last year for the team and finished in 32nd and 23rd.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
His two top 10 finishes so far this season are a fifth place finish in the race at Talladega Superspeedway and a seventh place finish in the second race at Pocono Raceway.
Austin Dillon is slated to return for his seventh season behind the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet at Richard Childress Racing next year, and there are rumors that Tyler Reddick could be Hemric’s replacement.
Reddick, who won last year’s Xfinity Series championship as a rookie driving for JR Motorsports, won this year’s Xfinity Series regular season championship driving for Richard Childress Racing with a career-high five victories.
Team owner Richard Childress has stated that he believes Reddick will be in the Cup Series one way or another next season, and now with a seat open at his team, it appears likely that it will be with Richard Childress Racing.
Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
Where will Daniel Hemric end upon the 2020 NASCAR season? Will he land a Cup Series ride or an Xfinity Series ride, or will he be out of NASCAR completely? Will Tyler Reddick replace Hemric at the Richard Childress Racing Cup Series team as expected?