John Hunter Nemechek Gets First Win of 2022 at Darlington

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series kicked off a tripleheader weekend for throwback week at Darlington Raceway for the Dead On Tools 200. John Hunter Nemechek, who was the most dominant driver in the truck series last season, started from the pole, had to tighten up a loose wheel on an extra pit stop, and had to hold off Carson Hocevar to get his first win of the 2022 Season.

“Just a huge shoutout to all the guys that work on this No. 4 KBM Toyota Tundra,” Nemechek said in his post-race interview, also shouting out to the fans despite a beer can bouncing off the hood of his truck from a fan, “I thought we gave it away early, honestly, and we were able to rebound and battle back. I learned a lot tonight. Finally was able to bring home the first win of the year.”

Carson Hocevar came close yet again to getting his first career Truck Series victory as he finished second just like he did at the previous race at the Bristol Dirt race.

“Yeah I feel bad for Daniel Hemric for anytime anybody has ever laughed at him right?” Hocevar said post-race, “It’s tough, it’s tough to be the best car and have the best thing happen. We had a lot of adversity in the sense that I think we had to come from eighth or ninth. I just wish the 4 had the same issues on pit road that I did.”

Grant Enfinger finished third, followed by Ty Majeski, Matt Crafton (who was disqualified from his finishing position in post-race), Stage 1 winner Parker Kligerman, Ryan Preece, Zane Smith, Ryan Preece, and Todd Bodine rounded out the top 10. Todd Bodine, who was making his 796th truck start en route to 800 career starts also finished in 10th, his first top 10 in the truck series since 2012. After Crafton’s DQ, Bodine was credited with ninth. Crafton was disqualified for violating front body inspection heights and is credited with a last-place finish.

The Truck Series heads next to Kansas Speedway for the Heart of America 200 on Saturday, May 14th at 8 pm EST.