Catchfence

“20-Year-Old’s Recovery From Knee Surgery Complete In Time for Charlotte Legends Event”

CONCORD, NC (July 28, 2011) – One year ago, Daniel Hemric went to victory lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway in front of a live television audience on SPEED to collect the winner’s share of a million-dollar payday in the first Legends Million event. Now, after a couple months of rehabilitation from knee surgery, the 20-year-old is planning to defend his “Big Money” Legends title.

Last year’s victory catapulted Hemric to the top of many lists of the bright up-and-coming racing stars. He won his first Late Model race during Florida Speedweeks in February and he ran with the top short track talents in every Late Model race he entered, while still honing his skills in select Legends Car events.

But when doctors informed the Kannapolis, North Carolina native this spring that he would need surgery on his left knee, the quick ascension to the top of the racing ladder was put on hold for a few months.

Now, as the calendar turns to August and Hemric successfully has rehabilitated his knee after the surgery, he is ready to get back into the spotlight in his first major event since going under the knife.

The Legends Million is now the Legends Big Money 100 at Charlotte and Hemric hopes to end to his comeback story at the same place where his career burst into the spotlight one year ago.

“It’s been a season of ups and downs since last year’s Legends Million,” said Hemric. “I had the biggest high of my career by winning the Legends Million, but then I had the lowest low being down the last couple months with the surgery. Winning that race last year is still mind-blowing. I can’t put into words how that race made me feel. Honestly, I felt more excitement for the whole team just because of all the hard work that went into it. That’s what keeps me going is seeing everyone happy when we run well.”

In order to get back into racing shape, Hemric out-worked the thoughts of his doctors.

“The last time I spoke to the doctors just before going in for the surgery, they told me it would be September at the earliest that I could get back into a racecar. But, I have been sticking to the rehab and going at it really hard and I got back into the car a couple times in the last week or two. Everything’s healing well and I’m ready to go.”

Hemric will be back in the same #21 Legends Car out of the Dan Snyder Racing stable that won last year’s Million, with a few modifications since the surgery. Hemric tested both the car and his newly-repaired knee in the final two Summer Shootout Legends Car events at Charlotte on Monday and Tuesday.

Everything passed with flying colors, as Hemric finished second and sixth in his two shakedown races.

“We rebuilt the car over the last couple weeks. I’ve been rolling around in my wheelchair piddling around on it. We had to re-configure the brake pedal a little bit just because I don’t have full range of motion in my knee yet. We got it all dialed in and the guys at DSR did an awesome job with that. It took a couple laps just to get used to the different feel of the pedal, but all in all, the car is pretty good and I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.

“Silpada Designs has come on board to help us out a lot this year and in this race. I’m just excited to get back out there and race for $25,000 with their support and the support of Hoyt Demis and Dan Snyder.”

The Legends Big Money 100 will take place on the infield quarter-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway on August 1st and 2nd. The event boasts the only $100,000 purse in Legends Car racing with $25,000 going to the winner of the feature event.

Hemric will also be re-firing his Late Model racing schedule in the coming weeks.

For more information on Daniel Hemric be sure to visit the all-new DanielHemric.com. Follow Hemric on Twitter at @danielhemric or on Facebook via facebook.com/danielhemric.

- 51 Sports Press Release