Daniel Hemric, Richard Childress Racing to Part Ways at Season’s End

By David Morgan, Associate Editor

After just one full-time season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Daniel Hemric will have to look for a new home for 2020 and beyond.

On Tuesday, Richard Childress Racing announced it would not be picking up the option on Hemric’s contract for next season.

“Richard Childress Racing 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,” the team said in a statement released on social media.

“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.”

Sitting 25^th in points, Hemric brought home his best career finish with a fifth-place result at Talladega Superspeedway in May. The 28-year old Kannapolis, NC native has only finished inside the top-10 one other time in 2019 with a seventh-place run in the second race at Pocono.

Following the announcement, Hemric took to Twitter to express his appreciation for his time with RCR as they look to close out the season on a high note.

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

Prior to moving up to the Cup Series full-time this year, Hemric ran two full-time seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for RCR in 2017 and 2018. In 66 starts there, Hemric claimed 23 top-five finishes, 39 top-10 finishes, five poles, and 510 laps led en route to points finishes of fourth and third, respectively.

Before his time with RCR, Hemric spent time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Series in 2015 and 2016, piloting trucks for NTS Motorsports and Brad Keselowski Racing to 15 top-five finishes and 30 top-10 finishes in those two seasons.

As for who takes the seat being vacated by Hemric, RCR noted in their statement that “additional information on RCR’s Cup program will be announced at a later date.”