When Matt DiBenedetto lost his ride with Leavine Family Racing in August, it wasn't the first time he had to share tough news about his job with his parents. But it was the worst.
"I don't think I've ever in my whole life actually seen my parents at a point that low in their lives," DiBenedetto said, "just because of how much we all care about this."
As a California transplant without a legacy in the sport, DiBenedetto said he and his family have had their "teeth kicked in many times" trying to navigate the world of NASCAR teams, contracts and sponsorships. The odds, he said, have been stacked against him.
"We moved cross-country as a family (to race) when we were younger," DiBenedetto said. "You name it, we've sacrificed it all. And probably honestly, we've been very naive."
So when DiBenedetto learned he would not be returning to his No. 95 car with LFR in order to make room for Cup Series rookie Christopher Bell, it was a devastating blow. DiBenedetto still had more than a year remaining on his contract and no backup plan.
His fear was that his parents' sacrifice had been for nothing.
"I have no other passion in life," DiBenedetto, 28, said. "I just race. I live, eat, sleep and breathe this stuff, so I don't know. I'd be a lost individual without (racing)."
DiBenedetto was coping with that thought in early September while his wife, Taylor, wept daily, concerned about their future.
A few weeks later, he got a call that changed everything. DiBenedetto was invited to meet with members of Wood Brothers Racing and Team Penske _ a meeting that ended in an offer to drive the No. 21 car for the Wood Brothers and more tears from his wife. This time, however, they were inspired by pure joy.
"It all happened fairly quickly," said Wood Brothers team co-owner Eddie Wood. "Paul (Menard) told us he was going to retire at the end of the year. We asked him who he thought we should get and he came up with Matt. He's really the only one we talked to."
DiBenedetto had a longstanding relationship with Menard, the previous driver of the No. 21 car, and the Wood family. He raced against Kevin Wood, the son of team co-owners Len and Kim Wood, as early as 2004 at Hickory Motor Speedway. DiBenedetto said the Woods immediately welcomed him, inviting him into their trailer, and offering meals between events.
DiBenedetto enters his sixth Cup Series season competing for the team's 100th win and has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of racers including David Pearson, Neil Bonnett, Dale Jarrett and Kyle Petty, who all drove for Wood Brothers Racing during their careers. The opportunity is not just a relief for DiBenedetto, it's a "dream come true."
"I've been a fan of NASCAR since I was five," DiBenedetto said. "My wife and her family have been lifelong fans. Wood Brothers Racing was her parents' favorite team when they were young, and they followed the team religiously every step of the way."
Menard's recommendation and the family's history with DiBenedetto caught the team's attention, but it was his ability on the track that meant the most when it came to signing him.
DiBenedetto has had a successful NASCAR career, which has continued on an upward trajectory since the end of last season. DiBenedetto has 11 top-10 finishes in 176 starts. He achieved a career-best second-place finish in last year's Bristol Night Race, which he ran just two days after learning he would not return to LFR after the season.
At Monday's Daytona 500, DiBenedetto finished in 19th place out of 40 racers and earned 21 series points.
"Wherever Matt went, he seemed to run fairly well or the team would be faster once he got there," Wood said. "He seemed like he added to whatever organization he went to and that's the kind of guy you want."
With the mechanical power of the Wood Brothers' iconic red, white and blue Ford Mustang, and the technical support of Team Penske (which has a technical alliance with the team), DiBenedetto is primed for his best season to date.
"He's gonna do a great job," Team Penske's Ryan Blaney said. "I think he showed us last year in that 95 car how great he can be. He had some amazing rides and I think he can do just the same, maybe even better, in that 21 car."
That's the goal for DiBenedetto with an unexpected opportunity in front of him. He said he believes he can put Wood Brothers Racing in the playoffs this year and wants to see the organization at the level of Team Penske.
He also has his sights set on Bristol again this year and is "seeking redemption" there.
And his parents will be watching from the stands as they try to attend every race they can.
"Especially this year having the best opportunity of my life," DiBenedetto said. "They're super supportive and want to see me _ us _ accomplish that lifelong dream of winning a race in the Cup Series."
Their sacrifice was worth it.
