NASCAR driver in emotional video: “I’m just expressing my frustration.”
Brad Keselowski is expected to announce a driver/owner deal with Roush Fenway Racing. Earlier today, Team Penske announced that Austin Cindric will take over the No. 2 ride.
Watch Matt DiBenedetto’s emotional video below.
Additionally, Wood Brothers Racing announced that Harrison Burton will fill the No. 21 seat. That leaves Matt DiBenedetto without a ride for 2022.
In 2018, DiBenedetto took a leap of faith and left Go Fas Racing without a new deal being signed. It was a really bold move at the time as he left with no plan. A promotional campaign ensued for the free-agent.
Things worked out, he was signed by Leavine Family Racing for 2019. However, the roller coaster continued as the team went under at the end of the season and he was again out of a ride.
But, it all worked out as Matty D signed with Wood Brothers Racing in 2020. He collected 3 top 5s and 11 top-10s in his debut season with the team. In one year, he doubled his numbers in both of those columns from 176 previous races in 2015-2019.
However, DiBenedetto struggled through the 2021 season. Yet, in recent weeks, the team was making progress, with back-to-back top-10s.
For the third time in four years, DiBenedetto is a free agent. Today’s announcement came as a surprise to DiBenedetto who only found out yesterday, and he’s pissed…
Related: Brad Keselowski won’t drive Team Penske No. 2 in 2022 NASCAR season
Matt DiBenedetto found out yesterday
“First, my ask would be, ‘Don’t beat up on the Wood Brothers.’ They’re family and always will be. There’s a lot of people involved in this as most of you know,” DiBenedetto opened in the social media video below.
“I’m just going to go right into it, I’m going to be real with you guys. I’m not going to try and hide how I feel or what I feel.”
“I didn’t really sleep well last night. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s ok to be pissed off, angry, bitter and all the above. We’re not perfect, that doesn’t change my faith and that there’s a greater plan.”
“But, it doesn’t make it not suck because it does suck. I don’t know what I’m doing next year, I’ve been through this a lot. My career’s been full of a lot of heartbreak and frustration.”
Related: Matt DiBenedetto to Leavine Family Racing for the 2019 NASCAR season (2018)
Wood Brothers Racing struggled, until recently
“I’m super lucky to be driving the No. 21 car. But, this team’s also been broken, for awhile. I tried to give the benefit of the doubt, work and put all the effort into it. Make it work and make it click. And, it wasn’t.”
“It took too long and we finally shook things up. You’re biggest regret ever in life, will be wasting time. That’s kinda what’s biting me right now. We wasted some time and I’ll take some of the blame for it.”
“We let our team be broken for too long.”
“Now, fast forward… We shook some things up on our team, changed leadership. This isn’t pointing fingers at any one person. These are relationships, it’s gotta mesh. We shake things up and boom! Light switch!”
“The results have shown. Nashville, we had electrical issues but running in the top 10.”
“Road America, excellent changes throughout practice. Qualify 7th and run up front all day. Take the lead, lead a bunch of laps. Didn’t have a strong long-run car, still things to work on.”
“Atlanta, our car wasn’t a rocket ship. But, we made the most of it, excellent changes throughout the race. Maximize our day with another top 10 and we’re just getting rolling. Our team’s clicking, finally.”
Related: Leavine Family Racing sold; NASCAR team sale forced amid pandemic (2020)
Frustration
“Guess what? It’s too late!”
He added, “I’m just expressing my frustration and I’m saying it the way it is. I’m getting the shit end of the deal.”
“I’m not angry at any one person in particular. It just doesn’t make the situation, not suck. It sucks because we finally got that chemistry. Now, I truly feel like we are a team that can go out and win.”
“I do feel like I’ll land on my feet and it will all be part of a greater plan. It will work out greater than ever. I know I’m going to win in the Cup Series.”
“It’s just a crazy roller-coaster of emotion for what this story’s been. I don’t know why I get put through these insane tests. I can’t even script this story. It’s just un-real.”
“I am angry. Sometimes, that’s ok. … It’s a frustrating freaking situation.”
“I’ll conclude with, there’s still a lot of season left. We do have our team on-track. We can go kick-ass.”
“I want to desperately get the 100th win for the Wood Brothers. … I am here to win in the Cup Series. All the heartache, frustration and obstacles, I don’t care. I’m going to overcome all that. We are going to win.”
He added, “I will die before I ever give up.”
Related: Brad Keselowski to Roush Fenway Racing with ownership in NASCAR team?
Matt DiBenedetto
2022 Video
Links
Brad Keselowski | Matt DiBenedetto | Austin Cindric | Harrison Burton | Wood Brothers Racing | Team Penske | NASCAR
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