TALLADEGA, Ala.: Daniel Hemric doesn’t have to worry about points heading into next weekend’s penultimate NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race of the season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Daniel Hemric (Photo Credit: Daylon Barr Photography)

Instead, the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver will head to the Slim Jim 200 on October 24 knowing that if he wants to advance and contend for his second NASCAR championship, he’ll need to win again at the famed paperclip — following a 34th-place finish in Friday afternoon’s Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

From the drop of the green flag, Hemric was threading the early needle through the slicing and dicing that Talladega often delivers.

On Lap 4, Hemric became an innocent bystander in a crash that eliminated Playoff driver Grant Enfinger.

While able to continue, Hemric’s Chevrolet suffered right-front damage, which caused a flat tire and loosened the right-front crush panel. Additionally, Hemric received right-side body damage.

Despite multiple trips to pit road for repairs, Hemric was able to rebound and collect one stage point in Stage 1 with a 10th-place rebound.

Ahead of Stage 2, the team made additional repairs, hoping the several trips to pit road would be the last of the afternoon. Despite maneuvering a wounded No. 19 Chevrolet, Hemric once again maintained the pace and speed to contend for stage points but came up short, finishing 11th.

Looking for a strong finish in Stage 3 that would keep a tight points situation intact for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, the situation took a significant turn on Lap 53.

Daniel Hemric, driver of the No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet is on pit road during Friday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 17, 2025, in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Daylon Barr Photography)

Already using multiple sets of tires during the early repairs, the team was forced to use used tires for the run to the finish, but the right-rear tire came apart, abruptly slowing his pace.

While trying to get back to pit road, Hemric suffered heavy rear-end damage to his truck after Toni Breidinger could not slow down and ran into the back of the No. 19 Chevrolet.

Despite attempts to repair the new damage, the truck was deemed beyond repair, eliminating him from the race after just 52 laps and marking his second DNF of the season.

“Just cut a right rear tire,” explained Hemric after being evaluated and released from the infield care center.

“We had damage from lap five or six, and then really the No. 19 Gates, Hydraulic Chevrolet was destroyed.

“And we were fortunate enough to just be constantly getting it more and more clearance and then. But the problem is, we were out of right rear tires and being out of tires, we needed more.

“So, we had to put a used, you know, tire where the side walls almost wore through from the damage, and we didn’t have any put on, and NASCAR wouldn’t give us one.

“So, there’s a bunch of things compiled there. And finally, one of those tires they put back on, it blew down the back straightaway and felt like I was just gonna have to get the pit road.

“There was no yellow and I got smoked from behind, you know, 15 or 20 seconds after the tire went down. That was kind of strange, but, yeah, unfortunately, we were in that situation. But that’s what we were in.”

Daniel Hemric (Photo Credit: Daylon Barr Photography)

Seventh in the Playoff standings heading to the 0.526-mile paperclip short track next Friday night, Hemric sits 32 points below the cutline — leaving him, by all accounts, in a must-win position.

Despite the setback and precarious position, Hemric takes the situation in stride.

“I appreciate our situation,” he said. “Yeah, it’s open. It’s complete freedom going to Martinsville for this No. 19 team.

“I’m excited, nothing better than your back being against the wall, and I’m ready to go fight.”

Post-race, Hemric’s crew chief, Joshua Graham, was summoned to the NASCAR Truck Series hauler, where his decision for Hemric to drive backwards during green flag pit stops was discussed and frowned upon, but no additional penalties are expected.

Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].