Photo courtesy of NASCAR.NBCSports.com
Once again, Matt DiBenedetto is out of a ride.
Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing announced Thursday that Austin Cindric would be driving the no. 2 car next year, instead of the no. 21 that he was originally slated to run. However, instead of keeping DiBenedetto for another year, Wood Brothers did what they originally announced and are moving on from the soon-to-be 30 year old, however now it will be Harrison Burton taking his place.
While there was a sense of hope for a return for DiBenedetto and his fans, it’s hard to blame Penske or the Wood Brothers for the decision. With the new car coming next year, there’s essentially a clean slate for all the teams. If they don’t see DiBenedetto as a viable long-term option, why not bring in the 20 year old Burton to grow with an even playing field? From their standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world. But it’s still unfortunate to see a driver lose their ride.
There is a debate as to whether DiBenedetto has done enough to keep his ride, or earn a top Cup ride. Honestly, I don’t know if he has. Many of his fans have pointed to the fact that he made the Playoffs last year and his close calls the past two seasons. However, let’s break down that 2020 Playoff season.
In his final Cup season in 2019, Paul Menard finished 19 in points. In 2020, DiBenedetto was 13 in final standings. That is a six-spot improvement over a year, which is good. However, those six teams they leapfrogged had their fair share of problems. From Erik Jones’ struggles, to the no. 41 having a rookie driver who still won a race, to Ryan Newman’s near fatal crash, to Aric Almirola falling flat in the Playoffs, DiBenedetto was more so the benefactor of other team’s struggles. That’s not even to mention Kyle Larson, enough said there, nor Jimmie Johnson getting DQ’d after a second-place run and missing a race to a false positive COVID test. Even with Johnson’s issues, DiBenedetto still needed a wreck from Johnson at Daytona to make it by the skin of his teeth.
Look, I know this is very nitpicky, but there was one thing DiBenedetto absolutely had to do to help himself keep his job: win. It’s the same reason Daniel Hemric may lose the no. 18 in Xfinity. DiBenedetto had plenty of chances to win. He was flat out beaten by Kurt Busch at Las Vegas on three straight late-race restarts. The next race at Talladega, he was leading into turn three when he made a bad block and lost himself the race. (Yes, NASCAR made the right call to penalize him, honestly Erik Jones should’ve gotten the win.) Then again at Talladega this year, he was leading coming to the white flag, only to block the wrong lane and fall back to fifth. At the end of the day, he had a chance to force Penske and Wood Brother to keep him, and he just didn’t get it done.
So what is next for DiBenedetto? There aren’t many Cup options for him, and he doesn’t offer the most funding. GMS still has an opening, but I doubt a mysterious first-year team with a history of sponsorship worries is the best fit for DiBenedetto. I think the best move for DiBenedetto is to go down to the Xfinity series, and the best spot may be Kaulig Racing. Justin Haley is going to Cup, which leaves his Xfinity seat wide open. If LeafFilter stays with that ride, it makes attaining sponsorship easier for DiBenedetto. On top of that, Kaulig has two Cup charters. With AJ Allmendinger set to run part time in the team’s second car, the chance for DiBenedetto to run for an Xfinity team that finished third in points last year and get some Cup races as part of the deal, that may just be what DiBenedetto needs to revitalize his career. I know he believes he can win in Cup, and I don’t think that window is closed just yet; but setting your pride to the side and going to Xfinity may be just what he needs to show people what he can do.
Look at what John Hunter Nemechek has done this year. He went winless in Xfinity in 2019, went and struggled at Front Row in Cup last year. He then took a “demotion” to run for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series. This was the best decision Nemechek could have ever made in his career. He has lit the series up, notching five wins and leading the points by over a full race. His success has him in talks to move to Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity series.
That move may be a new way of thinking for drivers who need a fresh start. There is no shame in deciding to win a bunch of races in a lower series to get sponsors' and owners’ attention. This is the most logical move for DiBenedetto. The sun hasn’t yet set on his career, 30 is nowhere near the end. He’s a good driver, a great person and a fan favorite. NASCAR would greatly benefit from his success. The ball is in his court.
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