Family has been a part of NASCAR since the sport began 70 years ago. Sons have followed fathers and brother have competed side by side.
But never has a father and son raced in all three series over a single weekend…until now.
This weekend in Phoenix at ISM Raceway when the Gander Outdoor Truck Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Monster Energy Cup Series will all compete in the final race before the championship Joe Nemechek and son John Hunter will compete in all three of the races together.
John Hunter Nemechek spoke on the opportunity saying, “it’s pretty cool to be able to compete against my dad at the top level of this sport. I feel like there’s not many other sports that fathers and sons can say that. … Being able to make history together and run all three together is pretty special.”
Young John Hunter added, “this is what my ultimate goal was when I started racing. And since he started racing, this is what his goal was. He wants to get into Cup.”
Currently brother Kurt and Kyle Busch race against each other in the Monster Energy Cup Series. Brothers Ward and Jeff Burton, Terry and Bobby Labonte, Bobby and Donny Allison, and Kerry and Dale Earnhardt Jr have all shared the track together in the past. Father/Son duos that have competed together include Bobby and Davey Allison, Lee and Richard Petty, and Dale Earhardt Sr and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dad Joe Nemechek runs races only part time, but when Sunday’s Monster Cup Series race drops the green flag, he will add his name in the records books when he ties seven time champion Richard Petty for race starts at 1,185.