Matthew Guido DiBenedetto Bio
Matthew Guido DiBenedetto, born on July 27, 1991, in Nevada City, California, is an American professional stock car racing driver. As of 2025, he competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Viking Motorsports. DiBenedetto has a diverse racing background, having also competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Cup Series, and is recognized for his determination and skill on the track.
Early Life and Background
DiBenedetto was born to Tony and Sandy DiBenedetto and raised in Grass Valley, California. His father, Tony, was a racer in the late 1970s and early 1980s, competing in SCCA and IMSA, which influenced Matthew’s early interest in racing. Around the age of eight, after receiving a Little League trophy, he showed a preference for watching automobile racing over baseball. His father bought him a used kart, which led to his first victory in kart racing.
He progressed to racing late models in the UARA-Stars series. In 2007, he earned the UARA-Stars Late Model Series Rookie of the Year award. Financial challenges led his family to sell their racing equipment that year, but DiBenedetto continued his career by joining the Fat Head Racing Driver Development Program in 2008. There, he raced alongside notable drivers such as Darrell Wallace Jr. and Brennan Poole, catching the attention of Joe Gibbs Racing. This opportunity led him to compete in the NASCAR Camping World East Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Path to NASCAR
DiBenedetto’s early NASCAR career began with part-time drives in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (now Xfinity Series) starting in 2009, including a debut at Memphis Motorsports Park driving the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He raced part-time in 2010, earning two top-ten finishes. Over the next few years, he drove for various teams, including Vision Racing and The Motorsports Group, often as a start-and-park driver, which he later credited for valuable seat time.
His persistence paid off as he moved up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2015 with BK Racing, initially on a part-time basis before securing a full-time ride. His early Cup career included notable moments such as a sixth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2016, marking his first career top ten. DiBenedetto’s reputation grew as he demonstrated resilience and competitiveness across multiple NASCAR series.
Matthew Guido DiBenedetto Career
Early Career (2009–2014)
DiBenedetto’s early career was marked by steady progress through NASCAR’s developmental ranks. After his debut in the Nationwide Series in 2009, he gained experience with Joe Gibbs Racing and other teams, balancing start-and-park roles with competitive runs. His time in the UARA-Stars and late model racing laid a solid foundation for his NASCAR career. In 2007, he was recognized as the UARA-Stars Late Model Series Rookie of the Year, a testament to his early promise.
During this period, DiBenedetto also competed in the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Camping World East Series, gaining valuable track time and exposure. His persistence through financial and sponsorship challenges demonstrated his commitment to advancing in professional stock car racing.
NASCAR Cup Series Breakthrough (2015–2021)
DiBenedetto made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2015 with BK Racing, initially on a part-time schedule before taking over the No. 83 car full-time. He faced challenges qualifying early on but eventually secured his place in the series. In 2016, he achieved his first career top ten with a sixth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. That year, he also experienced a notable on-track incident with three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart during practice at Martinsville Speedway.
In 2017, DiBenedetto joined Go Fas Racing, driving the No. 32 car full-time. He earned several top-twenty finishes and became known for his engagement with fans, including participation in the NASCAR subreddit community. His best finish that year was seventh at Daytona. After leaving Go Fas Racing in 2018, he signed with Leavine Family Racing for 2019, where he nearly won the Daytona 500 and recorded a career-best second-place finish at Bristol.
In 2020, DiBenedetto drove the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, qualifying for his first NASCAR playoffs and tying his career-best second-place finish at Las Vegas. He continued with Wood Brothers Racing in 2021, finishing eighteenth in the standings with a season-high fourth-place finish at Kansas Speedway.
Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series (2022–Present)
In 2022, DiBenedetto transitioned to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series full-time with Rackley W.A.R., driving the No. 25 truck. He earned his first national series win at the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Talladega Superspeedway and finished thirteenth in the standings. In 2023, he continued with Rackley W.A.R., making the playoffs and securing multiple top-ten finishes before parting ways with the team later that year.
DiBenedetto returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024 with Viking Motorsports, driving the No. 38 entry with RSS Racing initially, before becoming the primary driver for the season. He achieved several top-ten finishes and ended the season 26th in points. In 2025, he continued full-time with Viking Motorsports, now driving the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro SS. Early in the season, he secured a career-best fifth-place finish at Talladega. However, in October 2025, Viking Motorsports announced they had parted ways with DiBenedetto, with Connor Mosack taking over the ride for the remainder of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matthew DiBenedetto is known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style, excelling on intermediate tracks and superspeedways. His racecraft and strategic decisions, particularly on fuel mileage and restarts, have earned him competitive finishes. DiBenedetto’s ability to work closely with crew chiefs and adapt to different teams has been a key factor in his sustained presence in NASCAR’s national series.
Notable Races and Milestones
DiBenedetto’s career highlights include a near victory at the 2019 Daytona 500, leading a race-high 49 laps, and his first national series win at the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 250 in the Truck Series. His multiple second-place finishes in the Cup Series, including at Las Vegas and Bristol, underscore his competitiveness. DiBenedetto is also remembered for his engagement with fans and his resilience in overcoming sponsorship and team challenges.
Matthew Guido DiBenedetto Career Wins
Throughout his career, Matthew DiBenedetto has achieved notable victories and strong performances across NASCAR’s national series. His first national series win came in the Truck Series in 2022, complemented by multiple top-five and top-ten finishes in the Cup and Xfinity Series.
Craftsman Truck Series Highlights
DiBenedetto secured his maiden national series victory at the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Talladega Superspeedway, a defining moment in his Truck Series tenure. He consistently scored top-ten finishes throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons, demonstrating competitiveness and growth in the series.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Returning to the Xfinity Series in 2024 with Viking Motorsports, DiBenedetto earned several top-ten finishes, including a career-best fifth place at Talladega in 2025. His performances have shown his adaptability and skill across different NASCAR series and vehicles.
Matthew Guido DiBenedetto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew DiBenedetto’s racing passion is rooted in his family, with his father Tony DiBenedetto having competed in SCCA and IMSA racing during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This early exposure to motorsports played a significant role in shaping Matthew’s career path. He has three siblings: Austin, Katie, and Kelley. Austin serves in the United States Air Force.
Personal Life
In 2015, Matthew DiBenedetto married his childhood friend Taylor Carswell. The couple resides in Hickory, North Carolina, and they own a dog named Brian. DiBenedetto’s personal interests include engaging with fans through social media and occasional television appearances, such as his cameo in the television series Lethal Weapon in 2018. In 2021, he was baptized by fellow NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Matthew DiBenedetto competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Viking Motorsports, driving the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro SS. He started the season with consistent top-fifteen finishes and achieved a career-best fifth place at Talladega Superspeedway. Despite these strong performances, the team announced in October 2025 that they had parted ways with DiBenedetto, with Connor Mosack replacing him for the remainder of the season. DiBenedetto’s 2025 campaign highlighted his continued competitiveness and adaptability in NASCAR’s national series.