Everyone has their favorite NASCAR driver and an origin story. Fans do not rally behind a driver just because he has won multiple races or championships. But, in some way, shape, or form, they were able to connect with them. Every NASCAR driver starts as a fan of the sport, and for Matt DiBenedetto, his NASCAR love affair started when he first started to watch NASCAR races when he was young. And right from the get-go, he knew that Jeff Burton in the No. 99 car at Roush Racing was going to be his favorite driver.

While DiBenedetto’s NASCAR journey has been a tumultuous one. He once raced in the big leagues against the top dogs in the Cup Series, but now he’s settled into his new role in the Xfinity Series. For some, this might look like a step-down, but for DiBenedetto, it’s like a full-circle moment. For the first time in his career, he will be piloting the No. 99 car, which was the number of his NASCAR idol, Jeff Burton.

Matt DiBenedetto has found solace in his new adventure with Viking Motorsports

After seven full-time seasons competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, the driver was without a seat in 2021. Wood Brothers Racing was his last team, and ironically he was being replaced by Jeff Burton’s son, Harrison Burton, in the No. 21 car. But DiBenedetto kept his grind on and started looking out for opportunities, and in 2024 he found his new partners, Viking Motorsports and R.S.S. Racing.

He made 28 starts driving the No. 38 Ford and had a pretty decent outing. But little did he know that he would be back in 2025 with a full-time opportunity, his first after four years. And to see that he would be driving the No. 99 car was like a cherry on top of the cake for him. “We watched NASCAR racing on Sunday, and the first race I ever watched, I was like, That’s my guy; I love that car, the 99 Exide batteries car of Jeff Burton. He’s my guy; he is my hero. Growing up, I still love Jeff Burton; it’s crazy to know him personally now.”

Not only that, he will be partnering up with his fellow team members and colleagues he worked with at Leavine Racing Family. “Jeremy Lang is our manager of the team, and he was the president of the 95 team, and so we’re working together again. And then there’s Dough Campbell, my spotter, who we first worked together within 2019 at Leavine Family Racing and has been together for most of my years since there and the Wood Brothers. I don’t know, just cool reflecting time. I’m pumped for this year; it’s going to be fun,” he added.

Despite running in 248 Cup Series races and having 97 Xfinity Series starts, the driver hasn’t been able to register a race win to his name. The only recorded win to his name across the three NASCAR series came during the 2022 season at Talladega in the Craftsman Truck Series with Rackley WAR. However, if we are to go by his last season’s performance, there’s reason to be optimistic.

Viking Motorsports is looking to make their own identity with Matty D

C. J. McLaughlin was scheduled to drive the No. 38 car on a part-time basis. However, after COTA they signed with Dibenedetto, who piloted the car for the rest of the season. And this is where the idea of a long-term partnership brewed between the driver and the team. For Viking Motorsport, DiBenedetto was a good pick as he had a massive fan following and experience in the sport.

He took Wood Brothers Racing to the playoffs and did bag a win in the Truck Series. Initially, there were no plans to continue this partnership in 2024. But as the season progressed, the tides began to turn. The driver of the No. 38 Ford scored three top-10 and eight top-20 finishes. Mind you, Matty D entered mid-season and had nothing tailor-made to his liking or needs. But that has changed big time ahead of the 2025 season, and who knows, he might script a massive comeback story.

What do you think about Matt DiBenedetto’s resurgent run, and will his career trajectory change with Viking Motorsports?