In early June, Joe Gibbs Racing announced John Hunter Nemechek would drive the No. 54 Toyota in a trio of Xfinity Series races this season: Bristol, Texas and Phoenix. However, Ty Gibbs will pilot that car in this weekend’s Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Now, though still scheduled to compete in three races, Nemechek’s first start in the No. 54 car won’t be until Oct. 2 at Talladega Superspeedway. On that same day, he will compete in the Camping World Truck Series race for Kyle Busch Motorsports, in which he’s battling for a championship.
Last weekend at Richmond Raceway, Nemechek finished third in his second Xfinity Series start of the season for Sam Hunt Racing. It was the team’s first career top-five effort.
I'll be in @TALLADEGA for my first one in the 54 https://t.co/MEie0mywlF
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) September 13, 2021