By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
FORT WORTH, Texas – Following what has been a stellar rookie year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Daniel Hemric prepares to move to Brad Keselowski Racing for his sophomore campaign in 2016.
The 24-year-old from Kannapolis, North Carolina has spent 2015 with NTS Motorsports, currently sitting seventh in the championship heading into this weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Hemric will team with current BKR driver Tyler Reddick to give the organization a solid 1-2 punch for the championship next year, with Hemric taking No. 19 Ford.
Having previously met Brad Keselowski at a JEGS Tour Pro Late Model race at Auto City Speedway in Michigan, a race won by Hemric, was the beginning of an idea that the pair would one day work together.
“This is something that has been a long time in the making,” Hemric told Tribute Racing on Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. “I met up with Brad back in 2012 at a JEGS race at his home track in Michigan. He was a guest of the track that night and we ended up winning the race, and he came down and sat in Victory Lane with us.
“He said it was a moment that he would remember for a while, and it obviously was for me too. So, every time we’ve seen each other, I’ve had a lot of respect for him and I feel like he’s had the same for me.”
Although 2016 is set, Hemric is prepared to finish out his rookie season strong.
“The guys at NTS have worked hard all year to make this opportunity possible, and I’m confident that we’ve done the most with what we’ve had,” said Hemric. “Bob Newberry (NTS Motorsports team owner) has been awesome at giving us all the things that we needed to perform, and at the end of the day, he understands that this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.
“And we’re leaving on good terms too. You get to know these guys from the tire guy to the truck driver, from the top to the bottom, and they’re like family to me. It’s tough to leave. It’s one of the toughest situations I’ve ever faced but I know going to Brad Keselowski Racing next year, it’s the first time in my career that I haven’t had to worry if I’ve had a ride over the holidays and over Christmas.
“That’s a big relief in itself and that takes a lot of stress off you. These guys have been battling hard to get a win over last couple of years and we’ve got three more shots at it. We had a good truck here in the summer so hopefully we’ll come back and get a banner with these guys.”
