DiBenedetto clarifies comments on wanting to speak on the military, freedom and patriotism
Matt DiBenedetto has spent the last 7 years in the NASCAR Cup Series. And, it’s been a wild ride.
At the end of the 2018 season, DiBenedetto left Go Fas Racing. He declared it a ‘leap of faith’ as he didn’t have a new contract signed at the time of his departure.
However, it worked out for him as Kasey Kahne was forced into an early retirement. DiBenedetto filled the seat at Leavine Family Racing, for one year.
After the 2019 season, Leavine Family Racing left the sport. Once again, DiBenedetto went on the search for a new ride.
He landed on his feet via the Wood Brothers Racing fleet. In 2020 and 2021, DiBenedetto has driven the famed No. 21 who have an alliance with Team Penske.
For 2022, DiBenedetto will not drive for the Wood Brothers. Now, he’s having religious experiences at Five Guys Burgers & Fries while he’s back to searching for a new ride.
Matt DiBenedetto comments on his 2022 NASCAR ride search
The 30-year-old offered an update on his current situation:
“I’ve had some different teams reaching out on all different fronts across the three series,” Matt DiBenedetto told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio of talks for 2022.
“That’s good and encouraging. But, again, there is that balance too on working the partnership side of it.”
“Also, I’ve been… I don’t know how to word it. I’m an ‘all-in’ very passionate personalty. And there’s a lot of things that I care about in the world and I share my faith. People know that about me but I also have to tread pretty carefully in today’s day-in-age.”
“You know, we represent a lot of people and such. I’m actually trying to work on where that could fit, where I can be me. Be fully authentic to myself, talk about the things I care about.”
“Like my brothers in the military, freedom, my patriotism. All those things but also aligning with potentially the right team and that being part of the sponsorship side.”
“So, there’s a lot of things that I’m trying to figure out and piece together. There has been a lot of conversations so I think there’s some potential there.”
Matt DiBendetto defends comments
Danielle Trotta stated via twitter, “Matty D told us he is getting calls from teams across all 3 series & thats been encouraging for him. Wants to find a team who will allow him to be himself n speak on issues like Religion & Patriotism that he believes strongly in. Doesn’t want to be censored.”
There was a bit of a backlash on Trottas tweet with summarized DiBenedetto’s comments above. The driver then responded to the tweet about with a tweet of his own.
He said, “This tweet got taken out of context by some folks. Was said in a very light hearted positive way but social media is a tough place. All good though!”
DiBenedetto has 244 starts at the NASCAR Cup Series level. He’s collected 9 top-5s and 31 top-10s. Over half of each have come in the previous two seasons.
