Joe Nemechek made his 10th Camping World Truck Series start of 2018 Saturday at Pocono Raceway. However, it was only the fourth time he drove the self-owned No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet instead of the No. 87.
The difference? The No. 87 is a start-and-park truck, the No. 8 is not. Additionally, the No. 8 Chevy usually runs inside the top 10 and has won six times with John Hunter Nemechek since 2015.
So, when son John Hunter races the XFINITY Series, which was at Iowa Speedway this weekend, father Joe gets his shot in strong equipment.
“I’m happy,” Joe Nemechek said. “To finally get to race and have a competitive truck, it feels good I can tell you that.”
Finishing 10th, Nemechek relished the opportunity to run up front again, especially in his own equipment.
“When [John Hunter] can’t do it, I will take advantage,” he said. “I still love this so much. If I didn’t love this sport, I’d be out on a boat fishing somewhere. Instead, I’m here spending all my money trying to keep this thing going.”
Starting the Gander Outdoors 150 in the sixth spot, Nemechek, 54, tied his best qualifying effort since returning to the series in 2014. From there, he ran top 10 before restarting second at one point in the final stage.
A potential top five was closed off when Nemechek had older tires versus the leaders in the closing laps. Nemechek fell to 10th place.
“That last pit stop, we just took gas,” he said. “I knew I was going to be handicapped on tires and sure enough, that’s what it came down to. My truck really got tight and here they all came.”
Despite old tires, it was still enough to earn his third top 10 of 2018 and second in the No. 8.
“This is a good ole’ truck, man. This is one of our good workhorses,” he said. “John Hunter won Chicago with this, Atlanta. I look forward to driving them.”
Having uncertainty in the races he can and will pilot the No. 8, Nemechek knows, whether himself or John Hunter are driving, this small team will benefit any helping sponsor.
“We’re a small company that can give a sponsor a huge bang for their buck,” he said. “I’m the guy you deal with, it’s pretty simple: The buck stops with me, we just make stuff happen.”
About the author
Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.
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