Hendrick taps Nemechek to drive No. 25

CONCORD, N.C. -- Joe Nemechek has been chosen to drive the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season for Rick Hendrick Motorsports.

	Joe Nemechek

In an announcement made on Wednesday morning, team president John Hendrick said Nemechek was the best choice for the team. Jerry Nadeau had been the team's driver since 2000, but the two parties parted ways last week with only one victory to his credit.

"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."

Nemechek, 38, has two victories since joining the Winston Cup Series ranks full time in 1994. His first win was at New Hampshire in 1999 and the second came last year at the fall race at Rockingham.

"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."

Nicknamed "Front Row Joe" because of his prowess in obtaining Bud Pole Awards in both Winston Cup (six) and Busch Series races (11), Nemechek began this year with Haas-Carter Motorsports, but that team folded because of sponsorship woes.

Nemechek filled in for an injured Johnny Benson at Richmond two weeks ago and still sporadically competed in his self-owned Busch Series car, as well.

Because of his Rockingham victory last fall, he will compete in The Winston this Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

DEI withdraws No. 81 entry from The Winston

Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Wednesday that the No. 81 Chevrolet entry planned to compete in Saturday’s The Winston at Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been withdrawn.

Joe Nemechek was slated to drive the No. 81 Monte Carlo in the event for DEI, but he committed to completing the remainder of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season at the wheel of the No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

According to DEI Executive Vice President of Motorsports, Ty Norris, DEI granted Nemechek his release from the one-race agreement so he could pursue the full-time opportunity.

“It’s an opportunity for Joe Nemechek to compete for the rest of the season as opposed to the one-race agreement we had made,” Norris stated.

He added, “We are happy for Joe but we’re disappointed. We had such a great test with him, we expected Joe to have a good opportunity to win.”