INDIANAPOLIS – Matt DiBenedetto revealed on social media Friday evening that he will not return to Go Fas Racing following the conclusion of the 2018 season.
“It is that time of the season,” noted DiBenedetto, referring to NASCAR’s annual shuffle of drivers and ride known industry-wide as Silly Season.
“After two exciting years with Go Fas Racing, Archie (St. Hilaire), Mason St. Hilaire and I have decided to move in different directions for 2019. I would like to thank Archie, Mason and all of our partners for the support that allowed the No. 32 team to exceed everyone’s expectations over the past two seasons.”
DiBenedetto joined Go Fas Racing prior to the start of the 2017 season and started his tenure with the team off with a bang, earning a ninth-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500. He followed that up with a second top-10 finish at the Brickyard 400 later in the season, crossing the line eighth in a wreck-filled event won by Kasey Kahne.
He led 12 laps and finished 32nd in driver points in 2017, but DiBenedetto has improved his average finish by nearly a full position this year and is two spots higher in points through the first 25 races of the season.
All three of Go Fas Racing’s top-10 finishes in Cup Series action have come with DiBenedetto at the controls. He picked up the team’s career-best finish of seventh during the July race at Daytona Int’l Speedway this summer.
DiBenedetto wrote in his statement on Friday that he feels he can forge a path similar to the one that other drivers in his shoes, most recently Ryan Preece, have by leaving a lower-budget team to advance his career.
However, at least as of Friday night, he wasn’t ready to expand on what his future plans may be.
“I believe that this (move) gives me the best opportunity to further my career and showcase my talent and ability at the highest level,” DiBenedetto wrote. “Winning races has always been the goal and now I’m taking a leap of faith and betting on myself to prove it.
“Watching other drivers get opportunities has definitely been a driving force in my decision, knowing that I can get it done if given the chance.”
DiBenedetto will have a media availability regarding his announcement at 9:45 a.m. Saturday morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, site of this weekend’s 25th annual Brickyard 400.
He’ll be seeking his second-straight top-10 finish in Sunday’s 160-lap race, weather permitting.
DiBenedetto stressed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Friday night that he has no signed deal in place for next year. He’s a fully free agent.
“That’s people speculating and hoping for the the best,” said DiBenedetto. “Honest truth. I don’t have anything lined up and this is just me taking a leap of faith.”
