December 8, 2022 | By Lee Spencer

John Hunter Nemechek returns to the NASCAR Xfinity tour for title run with Joe Gibbs Racing

CONCORD, N.C.—John Hunter Nemechek’s drive and determination has paid off with a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series ride with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Nemechek will pilot the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra as he contends for the 2023 NXS title.

Ben Beshore will serve as Nemechek’s crew chief.

“I’m appreciative of the opportunity to get back to competing full-time in the Xfinity Series,” said Nemechek. “JGR is a group that I know I can win with after getting that win at Texas in 2021.

“I’m excited to get to work on the 2023 season so we can go out and win some races and compete for a championship.”  

Nemechek has shown his versatility on NASCAR’s top three tours. The second-generation racer is coming off of his fourth full season in the Camping World Truck Series where he scored two wins, seven poles, 10 top fives and 15 top 10s before finishing fifth in the standings. In 147 truck starts, Nemechek amassed 13 wins, nine poles, 50 top fives and 81 top 10’s.

Nemechek spent a full season on the NASCAR Cup tour before returning to trucks in 2021. In 40 Cup starts, he posted three top 10s with a career-best result of eighth twice.

His only full season in Xfinity came in 2019 when he finished seventh in the standings. Nemechek ran a limited schedule with JGR and Sam Hunt Racing during the 2022 NXS season. In 67 NXS career starts, Nemechek has two wins, one pole, 17 top fives and 37 top 10s.

“John Hunter has shown the dedication it takes to be a successful racecar driver,” said Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President, Xfinity Series and Driver Development. “He has experience at all levels of NASCAR that will be valuable to the team in 2023. We are excited to add him to our driver lineup for the year and look forward to the success the No. 20 team will see.”  

Nemechek will have Mobil 1 as his primary sponsor on the No. 20 Toyota as well as Berry’s Bullets, Pye Barker Fire and Safety, Romco Equipment and his Grocery Store Brands.