Joe Nemechek

Joe Nemechek began his racing career in the motocross ranks at the age of 13. In six years, he collected over 300 trophies before transitioning to stock cars in 1986. Throughout his career, Nemechek has achieved victories in every racing series in which he has competed. He won championships and rookie of the year honors in three different series over three consecutive years: the Southeastern Mini Stock Series in 1987, the U.S.A.R. series in 1988, and the All Pro series in 1989. In 1990, he earned the Busch Series Rookie of the Year accolade.

He led his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports, to a Busch Series championship in 1992, capturing the most popular driver awards in both 1992 and 1993. NEMCO Motorsports, operated alongside longtime crew chief Brian Pattie, continues to participate in NASCAR's three premier series with Nemechek and selected drivers featuring in part-time efforts.

Nemechek progressed to the Cup Series in 1994, achieving his first win at the 1999 Jiffy Lube 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Additional victories followed at Rockingham in 2001 and at Richmond in May of 2003. Nemechek leverages his mechanical engineering education from the Florida Institute of Technology, which he attended before committing full-time to racing. Originally from Lakeland, Fla., he now resides in Mooresville, N.C., with his wife, Andrea, and their children, John Hunter and Blair.