Southern Super Series Q&A : Daniel Hemric is on the verge of scoring first SSS victory

When Bubba Pollard won the first two races of the Southern Super Series season at Nashville and Gresham Motorsports Park, it became a forgone conclusion that Pollard was going to run away with the season title.

Not so fast said Augie Grill and Daniel Hemric.

Grill is leading the Series in victories after sweeping both Montgomery races and the May 25 event at Mobile International Speedway.

Hemric has yet to win a race this season but has consistently contended alongside the “Big Two” all season long and enters this weekend’s twin races at Pensacola and Mobile just 15 points behind Pollard for the top spot.

The Kannapolis, N.C. driver took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to chat with SB Nation about the Super Series Gulf Coast swing and the format changes just announced for the upcoming World Crown 300.

SB Nation: Thanks for chatting with us today. The Super Series is running two races this weekend -- one in Pensacola and another in Mobile on Friday and Saturday. What are the challenges of running two races in one weekend and going to Pensacola first?

Daniel Hemric: It’s definitely challenging -- especially for an underfunded team like we have. We have just a handful of guys who work on the car and then you have the threat of getting your equipment tore up on Friday before you can make it to Mobile.

So it’s challenge but one that we enjoy.

SBN: Bubba Pollard and Augie Grill have been the class of the field so far this season. Can you beat them straight-up or will you need a little bit of help?

DH: Those two have definitely been the class of the field. But I think a lot of it comes down to their experience on these tracks.

So I think that says a lot about what we’ve accomplished this year to challenge them like we have. We might need a little bit of help to win this weekend but honestly, that can be said of anyone in the field. We’re close to breaking through and it could come at any race this season.

SBN: Specifically talk about Mobile. You don’t have a lot of experience on this track but you seemed pretty fast. Is this a place that you’re looking forward to racing?

DH: Well, we’ve only been to Mobile once -- last month -- but I took a quick liking to it. It’s fast and a lot of fun. We’ve got some work to do this weekend to collect the data that everyone else has but I like it a lot.

SBN: Gresham Motorsports Park recently announced that live pit stops would be returning to the World Crown 300. Does that put you at a disadvantage or are you okay with it?

DH: First, it’s a huge honor to be a part of the World Crown 300 this year.

I think the fans are going to enjoy this more and it certainly makes for a more exciting race. Fans enjoy watching the action on and off the track and it will be fun from inside the car as well. It’s definitely a challenge for our team but my guys respond well to the challenges.

The Southern Super Series will race on Friday at Pensacola Five Flags Speedway (Pepsi Max 125 Presented by Penske Racing Shocks) and on Saturday at Mobile International Speedway (The Great Race 125).