JGR adds John Hunter Nemechek to Xfinity lineup
PRESS RELEASE
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (June 11, 2021) – Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that John Hunter Nemechek will drive the team’s No. 54 Toyota Supra in three NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season. Nemechek will make his JGR debut at Bristol Motor Speedway (September 17) and follow up with races at Texas Motor Speedway (October 16) and Phoenix Raceway (November 6)
Nemechek has made more than 200 starts across NASCAR’s top three national series. He is currently leading the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points standings on the strength of three victories so far this season. His resume also includes an Xfinity Series win at Kansas Speedway in 2018 and nine Truck Series wins, including the series’ most recent outing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Nemechek. “Just like I’ve said all year on the trucks side, I’m here to win races. I have a lot of confidence going into these races that we’re going to have a shot to win every time out. Chris (Gayle, crew chief) and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing have shown that they are capable of winning any given week and I expect to do the same.”
The 24-year-old Mooresville, North Carolina native joins an already impressive driver lineup for the No. 54 Supra. Kyle Busch, Ty Dillon, Ty Gibbs, and Martin Truex Jr. have all driven for the team with Gibbs earning victories at the Daytona Road Course and Charlotte Motor Speedway and Busch winning at Circuit of The Americas. In addition to Nemechek’s races, NASCAR Cup Series points leader Denny Hamlin is slated to drive the No. 54 Supra at Darlington Raceway in September.
“We are looking forward to having John Hunter in the car for these races,” said Steve de Souza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing. “He has shown his ability to excel in whatever he has driven, and he is having a fantastic season in the Truck Series. It is significant for our overall program to have drivers with experience in our cars and be able to provide feedback that ultimately helps all four teams continue to improve as we get closer to the Playoffs.”
Sponsorship and the remainder of the No. 54 Supra team’s schedule will be announced at a later date.
Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com