Race Weekend Central

Daniel Hemric Begins Title Defense With Pole Win At Daytona 300-Miler

Daniel Hemric claimed the NASCAR Xfinity Series title last year by scoring his first career win at Phoenix Raceway. Saturday (Feb. 19), Hemric picked up right where he left off, winning the pole for the 2022 season-opening Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300. at Daytona International Speedway.

With a 182.849 mph lap, Hemric scored his sixth career pole and his first for Kaulig Racing after joining the team during the offseason. Rookie Austin Hill, who moved up from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, will start alongside him on the front row. Jade Buford, who held the top spot for most of qualifying until Hemric’s run, slotted in third while Sheldon Creed and Brett Moffitt rounded out the top five.

Landon Cassill and Josh Berry qualified sixth and seventh, respectively. Ryan Vargas, in his second full-time season with JD Motorsports, wound up eighth, a career-best starting position.

Brandon Jones and Riley Herbst rounded out the top 10. Other notables included Ty Gibbs (15th), Justin Allgaier (17th) and rookie Jesse Iwuji (30th) debuting for the new No. 34 team co-owned by Emmitt Smith.

With 47 cars entered for 38 spots, nine drivers failed to qualify for the NXS season opener. David Starr, Alex Labbe, Stefan Parsons, Mason Massey, Natalie Decker, Gray Gaulding, Ronnie Bassett Jr., Harrison Rhodes and Tim Viens packed up early.

Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300. Qualifying Results

Hemric kicks off his championship defense on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. ET. Television coverage will be provided by FOX Sports 1.

DAYTONA RACE WEEKEND CENTRAL

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