John Hunter Nemechek emerged as the Driver of the Year for the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series following a career-best season, despite narrowly missing out on the championship title in the season finale. Nemechek, driving for the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team, secured seven wins, 17 top-fives, and 24 top-10s, finishing in fourth place in the standings.
After a setback in the Cup Series, Nemechek’s move to the Xfinity Series proved fruitful, with his #20 Toyota Supra consistently competitive at every track. He clinched his first win in Fontana and went on to secure victories in Martinsville, Atlanta, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Kansas. His playoff triumph at Texas Motor Speedway ensured his spot in the championship four, but a last-lap tire issue dashed his hopes of claiming the Xfinity title.
Despite the disappointment, Nemechek expressed pride in his team’s efforts and results, emphasizing the significance of the seven wins they achieved throughout the season. Looking ahead to 2024, the 26-year-old driver is set to join Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club Cup Series team as the driver of the #42 Toyota.
