RICHMOND, Va. – Second, second, second. That is how close, yet so far John Hunter Nemechek came in both stages and the finish to the Worldwide Express 250 at Richmond Raceway (Aug. 13).
After starting in seventh, Nemechek quickly launched his No. 4 Safeway Toyota Tundra into the top five. In stage one, he was chasing after ThorSport Racing driver Ty Majeski, who led every lap of the stage.
End of Stage 1 ✔️
P2 – @JHNemechek
P3 – @CSmithDrive
P10 – @CoreyHeim_ pic.twitter.com/n4a4nq5D4Z— Kyle Busch Motorsports (@KBMteam) August 14, 2022
Despite surpassing Majeski on pit road, Nemechek once again finished second to Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith.
In a relatively calm race, stage two was a preview for Nemechek as to how the final stage would play out. Smith’s No. 18 ChargeMe Toyota stayed out front while Nemechek attempted to track him down. Regardless of Smith getting caught in lapped traffic, the 25-year-old was unable to slip by.
STAGE 2 WINNER: @CSmithDrive 💪
P2 – @JHNemechek
P6 – @CoreyHeim_ pic.twitter.com/acgnWP0dvn— Kyle Busch Motorsports (@KBMteam) August 14, 2022
The last ray of hope came when a caution flew on lap 216 when Carson Hocevar sent Nick Leitz into the wall. Unfortunately for Nemechek, Smith shut the door as quickly as it opened, sealing a KBM 1-2 finish with Nemechek in the runner-up spot.
“I don’t think I could have driven away from the [No.] 18,” Nemechek told Frontstretch after the race. “I did need that caution. Thanks to Carson; just joking. I was catching the [No.] 18 on that long run. I think I managed my stuff a little bit better than he did and put myself in a really good spot to be able to catch him and pass him for the lead if it would have stayed green.
Nemechek nearly did pass Smith as the final stage waned. Smith caught lapped truck Layne Riggs, who nearly got turned off of turn 4 by Smith. That opened the door for Nemechek, who moved to the outside and made it three-wide. Unfortunately for him, the preferred line played to the advantage of Smith, who held serve.
Ultimately, the short sprint did not help Nemechek, who acknowledged the long run was his strength.
Even in practice, the [No.] 18 was better on the short run than we were, but we were way better on the long run. Just something that we know – In the end, it was a really good points night, big picture racing trying to advance to the next round. Yes, a win gets us there but if we couldn’t win the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Frontstretch…