Following a ‘two-season-old’ stint with Rackley W.A.R in the Craftsman Truck series, Matt DiBenedetto sat out the 2023 season, pondering on his next endeavors behind the wheel, and ‘explored all options in all series.’
The start of this season saw the American racer still without a ride in any series, be it permanent or as a part-timer. However, fast forward to this week, Matt DiBenedetto just revealed not one, but two race campaigns for his 2024 adventures.
Matt DiBenedetto announces participation in micro racing
Matt DiBenedetto, who signed for Rackley W.A.R. back in 2022 as a full-timer, endured a rollercoaster ride in the 2023 Craftsman Truck Series, grabbing away run in the playoffs and giving his best Truck Series career finish at the season’s end. Unfortunately, on 30th August, he announced that he would leave the team in 2024.
Fast forward to 2024, fans of DiBenedetto were left pondering as to what his next move would be. Finally, after months of uncertainty, he announced that he would be racing in the dirt track, and channel his inner Kyle Larson.
In a personal post on X, the California native revealed this news, captioning, “ANOTHER racing announcement! Starting April 10th atĀ @millbridgespeedway,Ā Iāll be running my first micro race. Thanks AustinĀ @abenterprises_llcĀ andĀ @drivenmidwestĀ for the opportunity to sling some dirt this year! Full schedule of races to come.ā
This showed his exciting plans for the Micro Sprint car class with AB Enterprises and Driver Performance Midwest. He also quoted that his first micro race will be held on 10th April at Millbridge Speedway, despite the schedule for his full campaign being unannounced as of yet.
These ‘participating in micro racing’ news from DiBenedetto comes only a day after he announced that he is teaming up with Viking Motorsports as a part-timer in their Xfinity Series campaigns for 2024.
Matt DiBenedetto to compete in NASCAR Xfinity Series
On March 21st, just a day before announcing his micro sprint racing, DiBenedetto revealed the news of his NASCAR comeback with Viking Motorsports, after signing up for the team as a part-timer for the 2024 Xfinity Series. As part of his new role, the 32-year-old will maneuver the teams’ No. 38 car for at least 5 ovals races in the 2024 season.
Matt also quoted that he would make his NASCAR comeback with Viking Motorsports by ‘kicking it off at Richmond,’ meaning his Xfinity Series’ race is scheduled for 30th March at the ToyotaCare 250 event.
Iām going Xfinity Series racing! Thank you Viking Motorsports for the opportunity and I look forward to kicking it off at Richmond šŖš»
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) March 20, 2024
ā¢#NASCAR #Xfinityseries #VikingMotorsports #mattdracing #ford #fordperformance #Richmondraceway pic.twitter.com/kjmYyyj8zr
After announcing his NASCAR comeback with Viking Motorsports, he sat down with Frontstretch for an exclusive interview, and expressed his excitement and gratitude over his return behind the wheels.
Reflecting on his life before signing with Viking, he stated, “After starting 2024 with no ride, it has been an interesting test of faith. Although I have some business and things outside of racing, it doesnāt fill the void of racing in NASCAR.”
“This opportunity with Viking and the No. 38 team not only excited the heck out of me for the sake of getting back behind the wheel, but also because I can sense the passion and commitment to the sport from Don [Viking Motorsports’ owner] and the whole group,” he further added, expressing his excitement and passion for stock car racing.
As touched in the above, Matt DiBenedetto will now take out the Viking Motorsports’ No. 38 car at Richmond on March 30th, and mark his first run in the Xfinity Series since 2019.
Can DiBenedetto mark his NASCAR comeback with a top-ten finish at the Richmond Raceway? How will he fare in his first-ever micro sprint race on April 10th? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
