In Focus: Matt DiBenedetto at Wood Brothers Racing

Matt DiBenedetto speaks with the press members during Media Day at Daytona International Speedway.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Matt DiBenedetto is our first driver in a new feature at Fan4Racing. ‘In Focus’ will put a spotlight on various NASCAR drivers, crew members, and people in the industry. We also hope fans will enjoy learning more about each person.

At Wood Brothers Racing for the 2020 season, Matt DiBenedetto has made the most of his journey to get there. So, it’s not surprising that we might expect him to make the most of his time in the No. 21 for the organization. And so far, DiBenedetto is on a roll.

With just two NASCAR Cup Series races in the books, DiBenedetto is having his best-ever start of a season. It’s clearly still too early to judge his entire season. But his results thus far give some reason for optimism. With finishes of 19th at Daytona and a second at Las Vegas, he’s in a three-way tie inside the top-ten of the series point standings. And just 25 points away from the lead.

NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings

For the first time in his career, DiBenedetto is even with Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson at this point in the season. Hamlin is a three-time Daytona 500 winner. While Johnson is a seven-time Cup Series champion. Heading to Auto Club Speedway this weekend, that certainly gives DiBenedetto some confidence in that kind of company.

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Denny Hamlin Bounces Back to Steal the Win at Bristol

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2019, in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

For the last time in the regular season, Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race with plenty of hype heading into the 500 laps under the lights on a Saturday night in Tennessee. Several drivers were fighting for a playoff spot, and perhaps a job for next season.

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Denny Hamlin Wins at Bristol, Denies Matt DiBenedetto a Statement Victory

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2019, in Bristol, Tennessee. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The first thing Denny Hamlin did after winning Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway was apologizing to the man he beat to the finish line in the 24th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of the season.

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Matt DiBenedetto Scores Second Top-Five Result of 2019

LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – JULY 19: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #95 Procore Toyota, qualifies for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 19, 2019, in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

An astute pit call by crew chief Mike Wheeler halfway through Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 got track position for Matt DiBenedetto.

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DiBenedetto Takes Gamble on Himself and it’s Paying Off

Matt DiBenedetto on Pit Road at Chicagoland Speedway before the Camping World 400 NASCAR Cup Series practice on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Photo – Jay Husmann for Fan4Racing Blog and Radio.

Following the 2018 race season, Matt DiBenedetto’s fourth year competing at NASCAR’s top level, the Monster Energy Cup Series, he chose to leave the team he was with to essentially become a free agent.  DiBenedetto had no other deal lined up or guaranteed but was placing a bet on himself that someone would pick him up.  That team was the No. 95 of Leavine Family Racing, an organization that was looking to make some major changes to include a possible manufacturer change from Chevrolet to Toyota and an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing.  When all the T’s were crossed and the I’s dotted, Matt DiBenedetto was set to embark on the best opportunity of his career.

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