Nemechek Joins No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 15, 2002) -- Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) president John Hendrick today named Joe Nemechek as the interim driver of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet. “We’re pleased to be able to put a talented veteran like Joe behind the wheel of the No. 25 car,” said Hendrick. “He’s a proven winner and we’re confident that he’ll compete at a high level for the remainder of the 2002 season.” The former NASCAR Busch Series champion will join HMS for The Winston at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 18 by virtue of his victory last November at Rockingham, N.C. He is slated to finish out 2002 with the No. 25 team, replacing Jerry Nadeau, who left HMS last week after more than two years with the company. “I’m extremely excited at the opportunity to join a first-class organization like Hendrick Motorsports,” said the 38-year-old Nemechek. “They’re giving me the chance to come into a situation with a top-tier team and fantastic sponsor. I really couldn’t be more thrilled.” Nemechek began racing at age 13, moving to stock cars in 1986 after winning more than 300 motocross events. The Lakeland, Fla., native earned NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year honors in 1990, followed by a series championship and Most Popular Driver award in 1992. He joined the NASCAR Winston Cup Series full time in 1994, earning his first victory in 1999 at New Hampshire International Speedway. NEMECHEK NOTES: Started as a motocross racer at age 13, winning more than 300 events … 1987 Southeastern Mini Stock Series champion and Rookie of the Year … 1988 United Stockcar Alliance champion and Rookie of the Year … 1989 NASCAR All-Pro Late Model Challenge Series champion and Rookie of the Year … Became a team owner in 1990, forming NEMCO Motorsports … 1990 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year … 1992 Busch Series champion … 1992 and 1993 Busch Series Most Popular Driver … Competed in five NASCAR Winston Cup Series events in 1993 … Finished third in the 1994 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year standings … Named as the driver of the No. 42 Team SABCO Winston Cup entry in 1996 … Earned two Winston Cup poles in 1997 … Won first Winston Cup event on Sept. 19, 1999 at New Hampshire International Speedway … Finished a career-high 15th in Winston Cup points in 2000 with Andy Petree Racing … Won second Winston Cup event on Nov. 4, 2001 at North Carolina Speedway … Finished 28th in Winston Cup standings in 2001, despite missing six races due to injury … Joined Haas-Carter Motorsports for 2002 before sponsorship problems arose … Currently 38th in the Winston Cup standings after only eight starts. NEMECHEK’S WINSTON CUP STATISTICS: Victories: 2 (New Hampshire, ‘99; Rockingham, ‘01) Poles: 6 (California, ‘97; Pocono, ‘97; Daytona, ‘99; Martinsville, ‘99; Talladega, ‘99 and ‘00) Top-Five Finishes: 8 Top-10 Finishes: 32 Winston Cup Starts: 261 First Start: July 11, 1993 (New Hampshire) First Pole: June 22, 1997 (California)