It was a beautiful slip big date within the Vermont and Matt DiBenedetto try bringing his preferred reddish Labrador retriever Brian to possess a beneficial walk. After that, the guy gotten a text.

On the other stop of the message are Curtis Sutton, cluster manager of Rackley W.An excellent.Roentgen. in the Hiking World Truck Show. He had been looking for the full-time driver so you’re able to fill the newest chair of Zero. twenty five Manitoba online gambling Chevrolet, coming off their first 12 months in the series.

“ When Curtis Sutton named me personally, the guy extremely strike my personal notice,” DiBenedetto informed Jayski this past month. “The guy said, ‘Hello, I recently want you in the future drive. We are trying to make our team top.’ However, he was all-in and you may wanted us to come drive and get to in which we could profit racing.”

Prior to Sutton speaking out, DiBenedetto did not have a ride into the 2022 season. The guy in addition to didn’t have resource to carry so you’re able to a race group.

DiBenedetto is coming regarding investing the final one or two 12 months which have Wood Brothers Rushing, deciding to make the Cup Collection playoffs in the 2020. There is no sugarcoating they, riding brand new Zero. 21 Group Penske representative try an educated chance from their industry, one that along with showed up away from nowhere.

LEBANON, TENNESSEE – Summer 19: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of your own #21 Motorcraft/Small Way Ford, pushes during the habit with the NASCAR Cup Collection Ally 400 on Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photographs by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs) | Getty Pictures

I do want to win into the Cup

For the 72 events to be the brand new rider for the Wood Brothers, DiBenedetto attained half dozen most readily useful-five finishes, a couple of that have been runner-upwards results on Las vegas Motor Speedway. In the Talladega Superspeedway past spring, this new No. 21 automobile contributed into light banner lap, however, DiBenedetto banned not the right line and you can decrease so you can fifth on brand new checkered banner.

The two-season tenure from the No. 21 vehicles had their fair share off solutions, however, a crew chief transform is requisite history June. DiBenedetto is proud of the fresh brief turnaround, top 10 laps during the Road America and you will 20 laps on Brand new Hampshire System Speedway.

Ahead of the race from the The new Hampshire, Party Penske established it can flow Austin Cindric – originally booked to-drive towards Wood Brothers for the 2022 – into Zero. dos auto toward 2022 season, replacing Brad Keselowski, who had been departing having co-possession regarding RFK Racing. It actually was in addition to announced Harrison Burton create take over new No. 21 vehicle, making an enthusiast favourite, DiBenedetto, instead of a journey.

“I happened to be resentful at the time,” DiBenedetto told you. “I found myself like, ‘I do want to race when you look at the Glass. ‘ And that i remaining putting what i want and my desires prior to the big image.”

In the course of time, DiBenedetto states Class Penske got an alternative choice for the their bargain, which they didn’t collect. As an alternative, they opted for the brand new up-and-coming Burton. You to definitely frustration contributed to a video clip regarding meditation with the his time toward Zero. 21 class, as well as how it “sucked” that he would not be back again to the brand new famed group. He along with failed to want admirers so you’re able to “beat-up toward Timber Brothers.” The guy said it’s something he would gone through prior to, as the Christopher Bell replaced your on Leavine Nearest and dearest Racing in the 2020 immediately after using just one season towards the class.

That’s when Johnathan Hassler changed Greg Erwin, additionally the group apparently located price

“Whenever that came out, it was alot more from despair because we had simply acquired all of us very rocking and you can going, undertaking the proper some thing,” DiBenedetto told you. “I reacted out-of feeling as i put-out the new movies. We review during the me during the time, and you can my personal faith has grown more powerful and you may I’m within the a good totally different position in life that’s high across-the-board and thankful to have.