Nemechek, Elliott Grab Wins at Speedfest

CORDELE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – John Hunter Nemechek has come close to winning in Speedfest races before, but now he can finally say he’s done it.

The 16-year-old son of NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek held off the pack on multiple green-white-checkered attempts to win Sunday’s 150-lap Pro Late Model Race.

Once Nemechek passed Hunter Robbins for the lead early in the race, he never looked back. 

He took the white flag as the leader but a caution bunched the field back up for a green-white-checkered finish.  That attempt turned into multiple attempts as the field of drivers struggled to make it around the track twice without someone crashing.

Nemechek has run out of gas before while running up front at Speedfest, so 41NBC asked him if he was starting to get nervous toward the end of the race.

“Not necessarily nervous, just was wondering when it was going to end,” Nemechek said, with a smile.  “We kept taking the white flag and I was getting a little bit frustrated, but our crew kept me calmed down and we did it.”

Joe Nemechek gave his son high praise after the race.

“He’s the next guy–the driver of the future,” he said.  “I’m just proud as a parent. I’m proud of what he’s done. He’s a very mature young man.”

Spencer Davis came home second, Korey Ruble third, J.J. Haley fourth and Dwayne Buggay rounded out the top five.

Elliott Wins Super Late Model Race

Local favorite Chase Elliott, a Dawsonville native and the 18-year-old son of Bill Elliott, took his fifth Speedfest win Sunday evening in the 200-lap Super Late Model race. 

Elliott and NASCAR Truck Series driver Johnny Sauter battled for the lead throughout the race, but contact between the two late in the race sent Sauter spinning, and ultimately, Chase to victory lane.

Daniel Hemric was second, Austin Terrihault third, Unadilla’s David Ragan fourth and Jeff Cannon rounded out the top five.