Author Archives: Michael Orzel

Matt DiBenedetto is Set to Make his First Playoff Appearance

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Matt DiBenedetto is set to make his first NASCAR Cup Series playoff appearance at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 6th.

Matt DiBenedetto is set to make his first NASCAR Cup Series playoff appearance at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 6th.

As the checkered flag was falling on the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway last Saturday night, one driver most certainly was breathing a huge sigh of relief.  Matt DiBenedetto, the driver of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford is in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.  In his post-race interview, he talks about how mentally exhausting the pressure cooker of a race was for him.

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Commentary: Noah Gragson, “Just Hard Racing”

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Commentary: Noah Gragson: “It’s Just Hard Racing.” Two-thirds of the way through the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season it is hard to find a more polarizing figure than the driver of the JR Motorsports No. 9, Noah Gragson.
SPARTA, KENTUCKY – JULY 10: Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Switch Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 10, 2020, in Sparta, Kentucky. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Commentary: Noah Gragson, “Just Hard Racing.” Two-thirds of the way through the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season it’s hard to find a more polarizing figure than the driver of the JR Motorsports No. 9, Noah Gragson. 

Gragson has success this season but also has become the source of controversy.  According to an NBCSN graphic displayed during the July 18th Xfinity Series race at Texas, Gragson has been involved in an on-track incident in 12 of the 16 races so far this season. 

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Part Five No. 48 Series: Brad Keselowski

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Part Five No. 48 Series explores the last candidate to potentially make a move to Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. Is it Brad Keselowski to the No. 48? Will he or won't he make the move?
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Part Five No. 48 Series explores the last candidate to potentially make a move to Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. Is it Brad Keselowski to the No. 48? Will he or won’t he make the move?

Read Part One, Two, Three and Four

Since seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson, let everyone know he’s leaving Hendrick Motorsports at the close of this season, there’s been a lot of speculation about who will ultimately drive the No. 48 Chevrolet.  There are several not-so viable candidates and several quite possible ones.  Given the youth and inexperience that currently occupies the secure teams at the organization, there is a very real chance that team owners Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon will look for a more seasoned driver to provide mentorship to their otherwise young driver lineup.

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Part Four No. 48 Series: Matt DiBenedetto in Line for Chance of a Lifetime

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Part Four No. 48 Series pose answers to two questions, can Matt DiBenedetto get the opportunity of a lifetime? And, what are his chances of falling upward one more time?
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – JUNE 14: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, stands on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on June 14, 2020 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Part Four No. 48 Series pose answers to two questions, can Matt DiBenedetto get the opportunity of a lifetime? And, what are his chances of falling upward one more time?

Read Parts One, Two, and Three

Matt DiBenedetto is arguably one of the biggest feel-good stories in recent NASCAR memory.  The former NASCAR-Next driver and Joe Gibbs Racing prospect has worked himself from the near bottom to the top of the sport. 

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Shorter NASCAR Race Benefits: a Commentary

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The inspiration for writing about shorter NASCAR race benefits comes from a recent Hot Topics Sound Off discussion on Fan4Racing Radio (at 121:11).
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 08: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #19 AOI Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 08, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

The inspiration for writing about shorter NASCAR race benefits comes from a recent Hot Topics Sound Off discussion on Fan4Racing Radio (at 121:11). The following commentary is one point of view with other views shared on the radio show. The topic certainly makes for some interesting conversation. So, please share your thoughts by commenting below.

Now is the time to consider shorter races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The idea may come across as sacrilege to some long-time NASCAR fans, but there is a strong case for shorter NASCAR race benefits. Shortening the races could give both new and long-term fans a better on-track product.

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