NEMECHEK LEADS A TOYOTA 1-2 FINISH IN NASHVILLE
John Hunter Nemechek earns his second NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the season
NASHVILLE (June 29, 2024) – John Hunter Nemechek came to the front in the second stage and would not be denied as he earned his second NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the season at Nashville Superspeedway. The NASCAR Cup Series regular for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB won earlier this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
For the 20 team, led by crew chief Tyler Allen, they have now won five times with four different drivers this season. Allen guided Christopher Bell to victory last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and has wins earlier this year with Ryan Truex (Dover Motor Speedway) and Aric Almirola (Martinsville Speedway).
Chandler Smith completed the 1-2 finish for Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing with a strong performance as he battled back from damage late in the running to earn his seventh top-five finish of the season.
Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Nashville Superspeedway
Race 17 of 33 – 250.04 miles, 188 laps
TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
2nd, CHANDLER SMITH
3rd, Jesse Love*
4th, Austin Hill*
5th, Noah Gragson*
14th, TYLER REDDICK
20th, TY GIBBS
33rd, SHELDON CREED
*non-Toyota driver
TOYOTA QUOTES
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK, No. 20 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 1st
How was your car today?
“It was fast. Overall, what a solid day. This Pye-Barker Toyota GR Supra was super-fast – as fast as Xfinity internet. Just so proud of these 20 guys – they are an amazing group. I’m just the honor to be able to hold the wheel for a few times this year. Thank you to Pye-Barker – everyone that supports. Pretty neat experience all around.”
What can you say about your team?
“He’s (Tyler Allen) filled the role pretty well, I would say – as well as this 20 group. They haven’t changed. I’m honored to work with them week-in and week-out. All glory to God.”
CHANDLER SMITH, No. 81 Barger Precast Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd
How are you and how was fight out there?
“It is hot out here. We got caught up in the 7 (Justin Allgaier) and the 19 (Ty Gibbs) scuffle there and got some damage and think it might have hurt us a little bit on the splitter there. I’m super proud of everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing. The Barger Precast Toyota GR Supra was as fast as Xfinity internet when it counted. I hate that we were caught up in that mess and it cost our chance at possibly competing with the 20 (John Hunter Nemechek) a little more on an even playing ground. After the race started, I won’t complain.”
Is there any more you could have done in that closing laps?
“After the 19 (Ty Gibbs) and the 7 (Justin Allgaier) got in that wreck, I got some damage from that. We refired and was extremely tight that whole last run there. That was really hindering me. We were going back and forth, and he was barely beating me there. I felt like if we had a little bit more front turnability, we would have been able to stay with him the entire time and gave these great fans more of a show. I’m super proud of all of the fans that came out. It is blistering hot out here. Happy with our No. 81 Barger Precast Toyota GR Supra – it was as fast as Xfinity internet today – just needed a little bit more to get to John Hunter (Nemechek).”
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
