Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
2011 had to be considered a success for long-time NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor, driver/owner, Joe Nemechek. In spite of having a season best finish of only 30th, Nemechek was able to start all 36 events in 2011 albeit in the role of a start and park driver. Only twice in 2011 did Nemechek attempt to run the full race distance. That happened in back to back races at Infineon Raceway in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. Nemechek used his Cup team to support his full-time operation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Despite not starting four events, the 2011 season was far more fruitful in that series as Nemechek finished 14th in the standings with one top five, three top 10s and a best finish of third.
Being a start and park driver in the Cup Series almost made certain that Nemechek would go penalty-free in 2011. Nemechek did in fact go through the year without a penalty while his crew was penalized once in the Jeff Byrd 500 at Bristol due to breaking NASCAR's rule for fueling the race car before the competition caution.
2011 Statistics For Joe Nemechek
Was Not Eligible For Points
0 top 5s
0 top 10s
Best Finish: 30th in the Coke Zero 400
4 laps led
2011 Penalty Report For Joe Nemechek
Race 1 - Pitting before pit road is open, tail end
Race 4 - Refueling car/truck before the affected car/truck receives the green flag on the race track or does not complete the designated race distance (competition yellow), Held 1 Lap
Race 17 - Pitting before pit road is open, tail end