Nemechek Honors His Brother After First NASCAR Victory

Joe Nemechek doesn’t know whom he’ll be driving for next season. But he had something else on his mind Sunday as he crossed the finish line for his first career victory.

“This is for my brother, John, I love you,” he called in to his crew after winning the NASCAR Dura Lube 300 at Loudon, N.H.

John Nemechek was killed in a racing accident two years ago.

“Mom and Dad weren’t here today,” Nemechek said of his parents, who did not attend, “but John was, and he was looking out for me.”

Now, all Nemechek needs is a job. He and car owner Felix Sabates have agreed to part company next year.

On Sunday, Nemechek, making his 180th start, was in victory lane thanks mainly to a penalty to points leader Dale Jarrett for a pit-road violation after Jarrett took command midway through the race. Tony Stewart was second in the race that ended under caution.

Nemechek passed Terry Labonte on the 230th of 300 laps on the 1.058-mile oval, then held off a bid by Stewart to pick up the first-place check of $157,625. Nemechek’s average speed was 100.673 mph, slow because of 11 caution flags that covered 59 laps.

Jarrett was penalized a lap when he stopped with his car’s right side outside his pit-road box. Jarrett wound up 18th, and now leads Bobby Labonte by 254 points with eight of 34 races remaining.