Matt DiBenedetto had a deal signed but it fell through just ahead of the 2024 NASCAR season
In recent weeks, Matt DiBenedetto hinted that he had a deal signed for 2024. Recently, he announced that the deal fell through and he had to walk away from the sponsor agreement. However, the team that deal was for was not announced.
Hear from Chris Rice below.
In 2023, AJ Allmendinger ran full-time with Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. For 2024, Allmendinger moves to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time.
That left a seat open in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing entry. Multiple drivers will share that ride for the upcoming season.
Additionally, the No. 31 was driven by Justin Haley in 2023. He’s moving to Rick Ware Racing for 2024.
Josh Williams signs part-time in NASCAR Cup Series for 2024
Chris Rice comments on the team rebuild ahead of 2024
“We’ve done a ride sharing in Cup because we didn’t have enough partnerships to field the full year,” Chris Rice, co-owner of Kaulig Racing stated via Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
“To maximize what’s going to happen in 2025, 2026 and 2027 this is what we needed to do in 2024. We feel this is our best opportunity.”
“We rebuilt the whole program. Out of the last 6 races, we ran 30th or worse.”
“We shouldn’t win against the giants like Hendrick, Gibbs, RCR and those guys. But, when we do, that’s good.”
Kaulig Racing has won two NASCAR Cup Series races.
Chris Rice hints at who the driver was that had a deal fall through
“And, we’re not done announcing the guys for the No. 16 car. I will say that a deal feel through that we had in November. It feel through in the 1st of January.”
“That’s put us in a little bit of a tailspin. With sponsors that we’re getting ready to announce in the coming days, we’re going to be just fine.”
“We got across the 10-yard line and all the sudden, fumbled the football. It’s been a tough off-season but a very learning off-season of things you can and can’t do.”
“You sign NDAs, but if you watch social media, I think he’s been very candid about what happened. He’s announced it and he’s said it a couple of times.”
“But, with the NDA, I don’t go about saying that kinda stuff. I think we’re still in some conversations. Out of respect, I don’t really want to say but if you watch social media, it’s not hard to figure out.”
DiBenedetto has stated that he’s still working on a ride for 2024.
Matt DiBenedetto walks on sponsor just ahead of NASCAR season
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