Top Dog: John Hunter Nemechek
Whenever the NASCAR Cup Series visits Kansas Speedway, we are treated either to a chaotic, wreck-filled race, or a long-run event with few incidents. On Sunday (Sept. 27), we had the latter. Despite a restart crash in the middle of the second stage, the race was defined by long green-flag runs. To finish well, a team had to earn it.
John Hunter Nemechek climbed up through the order under green. After starting outside the top 25, he made it to 13th by race’s end. Though it was a quiet day, an incident-free race is exactly what the team needed.
The Climb to the Top
Nemechek and the Legacy Motor Club No. 42 team have been having a miserable 2026. In the 29 races before Kansas, Nemechek had just two top 10s and sat 27th in the standings. To add insult to injury, the Mooresville, N.C., native was told in early September that he will not race for the team in 2027, despite being under contract. Just like Josh Berry did to grab Nemechek’s No. 42 car for 2027, Nemechek needed to have standout performances to show he belongs in the Cup Series.
The No. 42 started the day in 26th after qualifying was canceled, with the lineup being set by the metric score. Nemechek gained positions early in stage one but faded in the latter half after the competition caution to end the stage in 27th.
In the second stage, Nemechek struggled more, falling outside the top 30 with handling issues. A caution for Noah Gragson followed by the crash on the restart provided a reset for the No. 42 team. Through the calamity, Nemechek drove up to 15th at stage’s end.
Whatever had been done to the No. 42 car certainly worked. He stayed in the top 15, making a few passes and was outrunning teammate Erik Jones. During the caution-free final stage, Nemechek relied on pace alone. The final pit stop was free of issues, and the 29-year-old finished 13th. It is his best finish in the last 13 races and his third-best result of the season.
Looking Ahead
LMC is an up-and-coming team and can be Chase contenders in 2027, but they still have unfinished business in 2026. Both Nemechek and Jones have raced near the front this season, but they don’t always finish where they run. The duo have been caught up in multiple incidents out of their control this year while running well, so it is important to maximize on the good days.
As for Nemechek, running well is the most effective way to earn a ride for next season. It wasn’t too long ago that Berry turned on the jets when he needed a seat for 2027, playing a part in Nemechek’s current free agent situation. If Nemechek can keep it up, he will grab a ride before the end of the year.
Top Dog of the Lower Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: RAM has had an interesting reintroduction to the Truck Series with Kaulig Racing. It started off the season slow but improved in the first few months. The highlight of its year, early in the season, was a triple top 10 at Watkins Glen International, but since then, the team has struggled on pace. It got to the point where finishing on the lead lap was an achievement for Kaulig.
The summer stretch was tough, but since New Hampshire Motor Speedway in late August, Kaulig has had a top-10 finish in every following race. This week, the RAM group was led by Corey LaJoie at Kansas, who finished 10th. It was a great day for the organization, with all five of its trucks finishing 18th or better. Per the team, it is the second time this season all of its vehicles were in the top 20. As the year draws to a close, Kaulig and RAM continue to build a notebook and could become Chase contenders in 2027.
Small Team Scheme of the Week
Hyak Motorsports showed up in style at Kansas. On Sunday, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. drove a car that can only be described as the “Woodmobile”. The No. 47 Brazier Chevrolet was decorated in appealing shades of brown wood, featuring a grain pattern and forest landscape.
It was a tough day for the team, with Stenhouse Jr. finishing a lap down in 32nd.
Yep, to see Nemechek win to day was awesome. It was hilarious to see Larson and Briscoe chase him all day, while he toyed with them. Great job!!!