By: Ashley McCubbin

Last fall, four dedicated seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series paid off for Daniel Hemric in a big way. Not only did he score his first career victory at Phoenix Raceway, but in style by taking home the championship.

The moment last November for Hemric was personal validation, allowing him to know, “you can do this, you did not forget how to do this, and made me for sure want to do it again.”

He will return to the Xfinity Series in hopeful of doing just that, though with a different team as he joins Kaulig Racing alongside Landon Cassill and last year’s title rival A.J. Allmendinger.

“It’s going to take showing up. It’s going to take putting the work in and trying to execute,” he told NEWS FROM THE PITS. “Obviously, another new team for myself. Back with a manufacture that I am familiar with, but a lot of people that I have never worked with before. Just having to be married to the grind, and married to the process of what it takes to be successful in any sport.

“Obviously, it’s extremely humbling to be called an Xfinity Series Champion, but also comes with responsibility of trying to show up and present yourself that way. I welcome that, I welcome the pressure as I’ve actually used a lot in the last week or two – pressure is a privilege, and that’s the way I am inviting everything this year. Looking forward to the task at hand trying to go back and do the same.”

Though while knowing the goal at hand, the task of backing up the victory and title with another is not about the pressure that it may bring. Instead, it’s about having fun, and doing what he loves for a living.

“Pressure is trying to put food on your table and provide for your family,” he commented. “Driving racecars aren’t that bad, so I’m looking forward to going out and having some fun this year with this Kaulig race team.”