John Hunter Nemechek wins Xfinity Series pole at Darlington Raceway
For the second time this season at Darlington, John Hunter Nemechek wins the pole award for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Nemechek was able to hold off a talented field of Xfinity drivers. Not to mention, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch are all in this race as well.
While it looked like Hamlin was going to take the pole, John Hunter Nemechek took it from the veteran driver. Those two JGR teammates are going to start side-by-side, but something tells me he will have to fight off a Cup Series all-time great for the win at Darlington.
Remember, JHN was bumped away by Kyle Larson in one of the most exciting finishes of the season earlier this year. He will be looking for redemption as he takes the pole again at The Lady in Black.
Nemechek made his lap in 29.804 seconds to Hamlin’s 29.913. Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, and Sam Mayer were the rest of the top-5.
When you consider that three of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers are in this Xfinity Series field, it is more impressive. However, Larson already stole a win from Nemechek earlier this season. I say that joking, mostly. It was a racing move and led to an unfortunate result for the No. 20 Toyota Supra.
With another pole award wrapped up, it feels like John Hunter Nemechek is on a mission. The Xfinity Series Playoffs haven’t started yet and a sixth win ahead of the postseason could be major for Nemechek.
John Hunter Nemechek racing for a championship
Among the best young stars in NASCAR is Nemechek. He has had his ups and downs, he made his Cup Series debut perhaps a little too early in his career. It was at a time when a lot of shuffling was going around in the sport. He just ended up on the bad end of a good deal.
Now John Hunter Nemechek has reset his career and is on his way back to the top. If he can cap off his 2023 season with another win or two and claim the championship, his move to the Cup Series will likely all but be complete.
In case you are wondering where Nemechek might go and where he might fit in, look to LEGACY Motor Club. As they change from Chevy to Toyota in 2024, they look to be the best destination for JHN to land.
Before any of that happens, Nemechek has work to do. He trials Austin Hill in the regular season championship race and is down one playoff point to Hill. Darlington might be his chance to take the lead and charge into the postseason with a full head of steam.