It wasn’t the weekend NASCAR journeyman Matt DiBenedetto was hoping for in his visit to Darlington Raceway.
After returning to a part-time driving role for the first time in his career since 2013, the 34-year-old attempted to make his first start of this year’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, only to miss out on making the show by mere fractions of a second.
Indeed, it’s a rough start to what some may consider one of the less exciting seasons of his career.
But make no mistake, DiBenedetto isn’t going anywhere.
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“I could walk away tomorrow and never come back to a racetrack, and I’m perfectly fine,” DiBenedetto told Frontstretch. “But I love the sport. I love racing, so I’m actively working on sponsorship … and there’s many opportunities on the table. Even though I don’t have to, I want to. I love it. I love racing. I love cars. I love all of it. It runs through my blood.”
His is perhaps one of the most rollercoaster-like careers in NASCAR history. The Californian, affectionately known as Guido, has raced for a total of seven different race teams across all of NASCAR’s top three series in the last decade alone.
In that span, he has seen highs such as racing in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and earning his lone NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway in 2022, and lows like losing Cup races in the final laps and, most recently, being released from his O’Reilly ride at Viking Motorsports three races before the end of the 2025 season.
Despite everything, however, he is still smiling through it all. In fact, according to the veteran racer, he’s having some of the most fun he’s ever had.
“I have more fun now than ever,” DiBenedetto said in his team hauler at Darlington. “Even if it’s something like this one-off deal helping go in their team and plugging in and trying to qualify the car in the race. … I have fun with that. I have fun just driving a racecar. I appreciate a lot of the simpler things nowadays more than I used to.”
His sunny disposition should come as no surprise to those who know him. Thanks to that, DiBenedetto became one of the more popular drivers in the sport during his travels over the years and has built quite a following.
“It’s crazy to walk in the garage and like just the insane, overwhelming response from people and how sincere they are and how just nice and kind fans and people are,” DiBenedetto said. “It’s just a crazy reminder because, in my mind, I’m like, ‘Oh, you know, it (doesn’t) matter if I’m racing or not. It’s not that big of a deal,’ but it’s like, gosh, how do I have such a dedicated following that’s like been behind me through all these years, through many ups and downs and challenges and mistakes, and you name it? And gosh, how am I blessed to have this?”
He’s also kept those relationships with former team owners alive and healthy. In 2023, DiBenedetto was let go from Rackley WAR three races before the end of the season. The news came as a surprise to the NASCAR world as Rackley, a Truck team that earned its first and only race win with DiBenedetto’s Talladega victory a year earlier, was at the end of its best season with two top fives and 12 top 10s.
However, if you ask him, he’ll tell you there’s no friction there. According to DiBenedetto, his relationship with the Truck team is still as friendly as ever.
“Shoot, I was in the Rackley shop the other week,” DiBenedetto said. “I was in there two weeks ago. I go hang out. [Team co-owner] Willie [Allen] is like, honestly, we’ve become even more so after I drove for him, is actually a very close personal friend of mine. We hang out. We go to dinner.”
In fact, DiBenedetto will tell you there’s no friction between him or any former team owner, including those at the aforementioned Viking.
“I have fantastic relationships and friendships with every single person and every single team that I’ve ever driven for to this day,” DiBenedetto said. “Whether it’s Viking, the Wood Brothers. I have great relationships with everybody from top to bottom in this industry.”
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On top of talking with old team owners as if they were longtime friends, he’s still staying active, both physically and professionally. Most recently, DiBenedetto has gotten into the real estate world, building spec homes, and has some work running a wholesale automotive business.
So, don’t worry, DiBenedetto fans. Ever the optimist, he’s staying busy and thankful for it with little grievance to be found.
But don’t take that as him being content.
At 34, DiBenedetto is still looking for full-time racing opportunities. He still has the passion to compete, and, if you saw his physical training regimen, you’d know he still has the energy, too. Also known for his weightlifting prowess, he still hits the gym regularly, working through his high-intensity routines.
But above everything else, DiBenedetto is still the same spiritually, if not more so. The trials and tribulations of recent years have made him more attached to his faith and appreciative of his life.
When asked, DiBenedetto felt one verse stuck out to him more than others regarding his experiences, and when you think about where he has been, you can see why.
“My favorite that’s coming to my mind right now is Jeremiah 29:13,” DiBenedetto said. “It says, ’You’ll seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.’ Why that one’s special to me and pertains to all this is when my heart posture was finally right in life, and I was humble and humbled, being stripped of things, even as difficult as it can be, is typically the biggest blessing.
“If I’m seeking my relationship with God and pertaining to that verse, I’m like, ‘Where are you at?’ And I have a kind of mentality where I’m not humble if I’m prideful, but you aren’t going to find Him because you’re not really looking for Him, because you’re not really sincere. When I was finally kind of humbled and leveled down to the ground, then you’re like, ‘Hey, I’m really looking for you sincerely with all my heart.’ That’s why I love that verse and finally getting that place in my life.”
There may be less glitz and glamor, but NASCAR driver DiBenedetto is still competitive at heart and has no plans to leave racing anytime soon.
As for DiBenedetto the person, you’ll find a similar result. Through it all, he’s still the smiling, friendly guy you watched five years ago.
And he hasn’t gone anywhere.
“My life is better today than ever,” DiBenedetto said. “I have the best wife in the world. We’re best friends. I’ve got a great family. I’ve got a great business. I’m very blessed in every aspect of my life, so I love where I’m at, and just excited for whatever’s in store in the future.”
He’s still friends with those owners, but they won’t put him in their rides?
Sure, I’ve got friends who I would never let drive cars. And although Matt’s not my friend he won’t either.
Always liked Matt, he wore his on his sleeve as they say, for better or sometimes worse. Refreshing to see he’s so upbeat and positive. He’s found the most important thing, an improved relationship with his creator.