NASCAR Richmond Lineup: Richard Childress’ Demoted Grandson Makes Cup Series Return, Matt DiBenedetto to Headline Xfinity Show

Surprises are not yet over after the first road course race at COTA. With the race weekend culminating on the track of Austin, the next race week has officially set in. While the 2.4-mile road course hosted star-studded road-course prodigies, the upcoming race at Richmond might not see any more new faces, but certainly the comeback of familiar faces after being shoved out of the limelight of NASCAR.

With races set for the Easter weekend, a few of the names that the new announcement includes are Richard Childress’ grandson Ty Dillon and NASCAR veteran Matt DiBenedetto. Moreover, it is not just NASCAR’s premier series that is in for the treat but also the feeder series, the Xfinity Series, as stated by a veteran NASCAR journalist.

Richard Childress’ grandsons are set for a face-off in Richmond

After taming the esses and maintaining the track limits at the Circuit of The Americas, drivers can finally sigh in relief as NASCAR once again returns to its traditional oval courses. For the upcoming race weekend, all three national series are set to hit the D-shaped track of Richmond. Although the track provides a sense of familiarity, it will be a pivotal race to comprehend the newly implemented short-track package further. 

Nonetheless, with the race week officially setting in, NASCAR has published the roster for both the Cup and the Xfinity Series, and it is nothing less than a surprise. Apart from the common faces in the Cup Series, Richard Childress’ younger grandson Ty Dillon is also set to join in. While his elder brother Austin Dillon is a full-time driver in the Cup Series racing in his grandfather’s team, Ty Dillon will be driving the #16 Chevrolet Racing for Kaulig Racing for a limited number of races in the series, including the one at Richmond, as stated by FOX journalist Bob Pockrass. 

After piloting in the Cup Series for Spire Motorsports, Dillon was demoted from the Cup Series in the 2024 season due to his abysmal performance and joined the full-time Truck Series for Rackley W.A.R. The driver, who has raced in over 200 races in the Cup Series, is a part of the roster of rotational drivers for Kaulig Racing after stepping down to the Xfinity Series. Albeit everything, Dillon was elated to once again return to the Cup Series as he expressed his elation, saying, “I’m excited to be back in the NASCAR Cup Series with Kaulig Racing.”

“This is the highest level of our sport and allows me to go out and prove what I can do with great leaders in Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, Travis Mack, and the entire team. Kaulig Racing gives me the best opportunity to showcase what I can do on the track,” he further added.

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However, Dillon is not the only driver set for an exciting return as Matt DiBenedetto, who had been pining to get back on the track, is set to rev up the engines in Richmond for the Xfinity Series. 

Matt DiBenedetto went from a no-sponsorship situation to securing a place in the Richmond Xfinity race

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The 32-year-old driver, who was on the verge of giving up his dreams ahead of the 2024 season owing to failed talks with potential teams and sponsors, is officially returning to NASCAR with Viking Motorsports. However, his appearance in the series is limited to a handful of races.

Returning to the Xfinity Series after the 2019 season, DiBenedetto is scheduled to run for at least five races in the series, including that of the race at Richmond, and would be driving the #38 car. This announcement comes after CJ McLaughlin failed to qualify for two races out of the first four races in the season. Nevertheless, their official statement showed the elation of returning to their racing roots.

In an official statement to Frontstretch, Di Benedetto stated, “After starting 2024 with no ride, it has been an interesting test of faith. Although I have some business and things outside of racing, it doesn’t fill the void of racing in NASCAR. This opportunity with Viking and the No. 38 team not only excited the heck out of me for the sake of getting back behind the wheel but also because I can sense the passion and commitment to the sport from Don and the whole group.”

The driver also shared his appreciation on social media as he announced the news. “I’m going Xfinity Series racing! Thank you Viking Motorsports for the opportunity and I look forward to kicking it off at Richmond  • #NASCAR #Xfinityseries #VikingMotorsports #mattdracing #ford #fordperformance #Richmondraceway,” he wrote.

Apart from DiBenedetto, Bubba Pollard is also set to enter NASCAR’s national series for JR Motorsports. With a roster filled with experienced drivers, the upcoming race weekend is set to be a treat for the eyes, and it will be interesting to see if these drivers can alter their fate.

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