Daniel Hemric Likely Too Slow to Contend at Pocono Without a Strategy Play
5 months agoKaulig Racing has badly struggled in the NASCAR Cup Series this year, as Daniel Hemric drives the Next Gen car full-time for the first time in the Cup Series with several drivers rotating the second car. Hemric currently is the second-slowest full-timer in the Cup Series with a speed percentile of 24.11, only ahead of rookie Zane Smith. Pocono is one of Hemric's better tracks, as he finished seventh as a rookie in 2019, earning his first top 10, best finish on a non-drafting oval, and second-best driver rating in that race. However, that came with a Richard Childress Racing No. 8 car that was considerably faster than his current Kaulig car. Hemric has done a nice job staying out of trouble this season, but starting 27th with his lack of speed, he'll likely need a major strategic boost to obtain a good finish this afternoon.
Source: Racing Reference
Source: Racing Reference