Daniel Hemric secured his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in Friday night’s Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 at Martinsville Speedway.
The 34-year-old driver from Kannapolis, North Carolina, showcased his talent and perseverance, finally breaking through to claim the coveted grandfather clock trophy and a $50,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus
Danier Hemric, driving the No. 19 Chevrolet for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, claimed his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory after a late-race showdown that showcased his skill, resilience, and strategic racing acumen.
The race began at 7:30 PM ET with 35 drivers battling on the iconic 0.53-mile Martinsville track. Known for its tight corners and short straightaways, Martinsville Speedway is a venue that demands precision and patience from competitors.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 lasted one hour, 50 minutes, and two seconds, featuring five lead changes among five drivers and ten caution flags that collectively accounted for 69 laps under yellow.
The average speed of the race winner was recorded at 57.366 mph, underscoring the challenging nature of the track and the intense competition throughout the evening.
Corey Heim dominated much of the race, leading for an impressive 149 laps across two separate stints. Heim’s performance demonstrated his strength as a contender in the series; however, his night took a turn for the worse when a tire issue caused him to hit the wall late in the race.
The incident opened the door for other drivers to capitalize on his misfortune. Kaden Honeycutt and Ty Majeski also played pivotal roles in shaping the narrative of the race.
Honeycutt led for 20 laps before he and Majeski collided while battling for the lead on Lap 186 of the scheduled 200 laps. Their contact resulted in a spin that effectively ended their chances of victory.
As chaos unfolded among the front-runners, Daniel Hemric seized the opportunity to position himself for a shot at victory during an eight-lap dash to the finish.
Hemric had started the race from fifth position and maintained a consistent presence in the top ten through both stage periods. His methodical approach paid off as he navigated through late-race carnage to challenge his teammate Tyler Ankrum for the lead.
Hemric passed Ankrum with four laps remaining and held onto his advantage to cross the finish line 0.544 seconds ahead of his teammate.
Hemric’s triumph marked several milestones in NASCAR history. It was his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory after 55 starts and made him the 126th driver to secure a victory in this division.
Additionally, Daniel Hemric became the first driver since Todd Gilliland in October 2019 to achieve their maiden Truck Series win at Martinsville Speedway.
His victory also extended McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s dominance at Martinsville, as their No. 19 Chevrolet entry secured its third consecutive win at this track following Christian Eckes’ double victories in 2024.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 was not only significant for Hemric but also for his crew chief Joshua Graham, who celebrated his first career win alongside Hemric’s success.
The victory was further sweetened by Hemric earning a $50,000 bonus as part of NASCAR’s Triple Truck Challenge program—a reward he proudly displayed during his post-race celebrations.
Hemric’s trademark backflip from the roof of his truck added an exclamation point to his achievement, reminiscent of Carl Edwards’ iconic celebrations from years past.
Speaking to media afterward, Daniel Hemric expressed gratitude toward his team and reflected on finally earning a grandfather clock trophy from Martinsville—a prize he had long coveted.
Tyler Ankrum finished second after leading ten laps late in the race but ultimately could not mount a challenge against Hemric in the closing moments.
Rajah Caruth also had an impressive showing, leading for 17 laps during Stage Two before falling back later in the event. Despite setbacks, Caruth demonstrated promise as he continues to develop as a challenger in NASCAR’s national touring series.
Other notable performances included Stewart Friesen finishing solidly within points contention and Grant Enfinger maintaining consistency throughout the race despite not leading any laps.
Drivers such as Layne Riggs and Jake Garcia also showcased their potential with competitive runs that kept them within striking distance of top positions.
