Matt DiBenedetto to Leavine Family Racing for the 2019 NASCAR season

Leavine Family Racing will make the switch to Toyota

Previously, Matt DiBenedetto announced that he would leave Go Fas Racing. At that time, he didn’t have a ride for 2019. Instead, he was taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best.

Today, it was announced that Matt DiBenedetto will drive the #95 for Leavine Family Racing in 2019. He will pilot the machine previously controlled by Kasey Kahne and Regan Smith.

“I can only begin to explain how fortunate I am to be joining LFR,” Matt DiBenedetto said in a team press release.  “The thought of being reunited with Toyota and the folks at TRD is just unbelievable for me and my family.  This is the biggest opportunity of my life and it’s a dream come true to be a part of a team that continues to elevate their program at the highest level of NASCAR.”

Matt DiBenedetto
Matt DiBenedetto (Photo: Action Sports Photography)

Kasey Kahne joined the team on a retirement tour. Recently, he has been forced from the cockpit due to health issues. Regan Smith will finish out the season for Leavine Family Racing.

“Matt started buggging me a couple years ago,” LFR team owner Bob Leavine says with a laugh. “He’s become a friend, before we hired him.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Matt (DiBenedetto) to our organization,” said Bob Leavine, Owner of Leavine Family Racing, in a team press release. “We feel that he’s going to be a great addition to the team with his great personality and experience on track within the series.”

This is much more than a simple driver change for Leavine Family Racing. In addition, the team is set to make the switch from Chevy to Toyota.

They have signed into a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing. As Furniture Row Racing is set to close shop, Leavine Family Racing will become the new Toyota team.

Kasey Kahne at Bristol Motor Speedway
Kasey Kahne at Bristol Motor Speedway

“It’s been a long process that started back in March. They’re winners, Toyota is. That was the draw to start with. Then, our organization is very relationship based. And so are they,” team owner Bob Leavine stated of TRD.

“We’re proud to be really the only second team they’ve taken in. Furniture Row was first. We’re really proud that they selected us.”

“It’s a tremendous feeling to know that we’re also able to announce our alignment with JGR and TRD for next season as well.  Obviously, they’re both first-class organizations and proven winners, so for us to be able to align with them is a huge step for our organization.”

Matt DiBenedetto was once a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Leavine Family Racing opened their company with Ford machine back in 2011. For 2016, they made a switch to Chevrolet. Now, for 2019 they will explore Toyota.

Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne
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Related: Matt DiBenedetto will part ways with Go Fas Racing in 2019

Related: Kasey Kahne abruptly ends his NASCAR career; Over to the dirt tracks!

Related: Kasey Kahne to miss three more weeks of racing

Related: Kasey Kahne admits that health issues played a role in his retirement

Related: Kasey Kahne talks his dirt racing operations, post-NASCAR

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Matt DiBenedetto | Kasey Kahne | Leavine Family Racing | Kasey Kahne Racing | Regan Smith | NASCAR

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