It was shaping up as the greatest day in 27-year-old Matt DiBenedetto’s NASCAR Monster Energy Cup career as he was a legitimate threat to win the biggest race in NASCAR.
The Toyota driver for Leavine Family Racing had his No. 95 out front for 49 laps, more than any driver in the 40-car field.
DiBenedetto was in fourth position at the time of the 21-car pileup in turn 3 on lap 192, and when the wreck ensued, his spotter said over the radio, “Oh, God no, Jesus.”
The Daytona 500 creates legends for the winners but has more heartbreak stories than triumphs. This year’s heartbreak story is about DiBenedetto.
"I’m pretty heartbroken but appreciative to be here,” DiBenedetto said. “This was the most amazing and heartbreaking all in the same day. It’s unbelievable how fast my car was. I’ve never had a piece under me like that, so that’s amazing. I have really great teammates. I’ve got to give them a lot of credit helping me dealing with all of the questions I ask. Kyle Busch is obviously a great one to lean on, and I’ve been bugging him.
“So, it’s heartbreaking, but it’s really neat to lead that many laps, have that many things going and I’m so appreciative to all of my fans. I’ve had so much support, it’s overwhelming. They’ve been a big part of getting me to where I am. I’m just appreciative for this opportunity.”
When asked what happened, DiBenedetto tried to explain the unexplainable.
“It was just one of those racing deals,” the driver said. “I talked to Paul (Menard) there, and he was just trying to get to my outside and got into my right rear. This is the first time that I’m seeing it, and he just got to my right rear and was trying to push.
“I was focused on trying to help my Toyota teammates.
“This was the best speedway event I’ve had in my life – being able to lead and do some incredible things. This is such a great team and I know we can show them what we’re doing here. I’m just so proud to be a part of Toyota and Procore as my sponsor — all these guys — Leavine Family Racing and Toyota, they all took a heck of a chance on me and I’m glad we proved what we’re here to do.”
DiBenedetto did not direct any ill will toward Menard, who was driving the famed Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford. The racing had been very clean and very good for the majority of the race.
But as usual, with less than 10 laps to go, the bump in intensity leads to an increase in aggression.
“I have a great relationship with Paul; I think he was trying to sneak to my outside but wasn’t quite there and when he bumped me it just clipped my right rear and turned me in the wall,” DiBenedetto said. "There’s nothing we can do about it.
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