Nemechek joins No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports team.

Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) president John Hendrick yesterday named Joe Nemechek as the interim driver of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet.

"We're pleased to be able to put a talented veteran like Joe behind the wheel of the No. 25 car," said Hendrick.

"He's a proven winner and we're confident that he'll compete at a high level for the remainder of the 2002 season."

The former NASCAR Busch Series champion will join HMS for The Winston at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 18 by virtue of his victory last November at Rockingham, N.C. He is slated to finish out 2002 with the No. 25 team, replacing Jerry Nadeau, who left HMS last week after more than two years with the company.

"I'm extremely excited at the opportunity to join a first-class organization like Hendrick Motorsports," said the 38-year-old Nemechek.

"They're giving me the chance to come into a situation with a top-tier team and fantastic sponsor. I really couldn't be more thrilled."

Nemechek began racing at age 13, moving to stock cars in 1986 after winning more than 300 motocross events. The Lakeland, Fla., native earned NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year honors in 1990, followed by a series championship and Most Popular Driver award in 1992.

He joined the NASCAR Winston Cup Series full time in 1994, earning his first victory in 1999 at New Hampshire International Speedway.