It was his best finish in the final point standings since he was 15th in 2000, a breakout year in which he had three top-fives and nine top-10s. His first victory came the year prior when he took the checkered flag in September 1999 at New Hampshire. After 180 starts, Nemechek had arrived.

Nemechek began racing at age 13, but it was in motocross. It was evident, however, that he had a flair for racing. Nemechek won more than 600 trophies in his six-year motocross career before making the switch to stock cars in 1986.

His success continued, winning championships and rookie of the year awards in three consecutive years: Southeastern Mini-Stock Series in 1987, U.S.A.R Series in '88 and All-Pro Late Model Series in '89.

In 1989 Nemechek made his NASCAR debut as driver-owner in the Busch Series, finishing 33rd at Rockingham. He was the series' rookie of the year in '90 and won the Busch championship in '92.

Nemechek raced in the Busch Series one more year and sprinkled in five Cup appearances before making the jump to the top circuit full time in 1994. Nemechek went winless through 1998, finishing in the top five just three times with 16 top-10s. But he was beginning to show promise.

From 1997-2000 Nemechek started from the pole six times and began a race in the front row on 10 occasions, earning the moniker "Front Row Joe."

Nemechek has four career victories in the Cup circuit: September 1999 at New Hampshire, November 2001 at Rockingham, May 2003 at Richmond and October 2004 at Kansas.

Nemechek never won a Cup race as a car owner and is in his third season with MB2 Motorsports. He has 16 career victories as driver-owner in the Busch Series in which he still competes.