DAYTONA BEACH, Fla: Entering Friday night’s NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona (Fla.) Speedway, Matt DiBenedetto had high hopes of having a good run to start the season.
Starting eighth in the season opening race, DiBenedetto had a plan to move his way into position to win but both the weather and multiple accidents would complicate his journey forward.
Not even two full laps into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, the rain would move into the track and leave DiBenedetto looking from the third position and waiting for the weather to move aside.
Anticipating the race going back to green, the Nevada City, Calif. native reported to the team that his water temperature was high and that he may have knocked the grill on the first lap.
By the end of the first stage though, the Rackley W.A.R driver would have maintained his third place position and reported to the team that “the truck is loose off a little but otherwise it was handling well.”
A wild second stage would bring out the red flag on Lap 30. Prior to the wrecking that would ensue in front of him, DiBenedetto would attempt to bail out of what he saw coming but a push from Dean Thompson would shove him into the accident.
Reports from crew chief Chad Kendrick to his driver was that “we aren’t out of it. We have some scars and put band aids on it.
“We will ride the stage out and save fuel. Feel it out and see if it will suck up to the other trucks.”
With the beginning of the third and final stage, DiBenedetto would work his way up to the sixth position when the truck of Rajah Caruth would get loose and turn directly into the path of the No. 25 truck and take the right front fender off.
Bringing his No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet Silverado truck to pit road, the team would work to fix the damage on the front nose as well as once again having to adjust the duct work to help with high water temperatures caused by the damage.
However, another round of rain would move into the track and after a lengthy red flag, NASCAR would call the race and DiBenedetto would finish in the 20th position.
Next up for DiBenedetto is the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023 at 9:00 p.m. ET at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway.
Follow Grace Krenrich on Twitter @grace3140 or email [email protected]
