NASCAR: 5 possible landing spots for Matt DiBenedetto in 2020

Stewart-Haas Racing (Cup Series)

Two of Stewart-Haas Racing’s four NASCAR Cup Series drivers are on the hot seat with the playoffs fast approaching, and there is a very real possibility that both of them will be left on the outside looking in once the playoffs arrive.

Even if both of them manage to qualify for the playoffs by the skins of their teeth, it is not too far-fetched to believed that at least one of them will be replaced between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After all, the team have not kept the same driver lineup since between the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

If they do opt to replace either Bowyer or Suarez ahead of the 2020 season, it would like be with Xfinity Series superstar Cole Custer, who has made big strides driving for the team on NASCAR’s second highest level over his first three seasons as a full-time driver.

However, if they replace both of them, they cannot overlook Matt DiBenedetto.

DiBenedetto and team co-owner Tony Stewart don’t exactly have a friendly history together, but considering what he has shown in the years that have passed since then (and the fact that their notable incident with one another took place so long ago), it’s hard to see that alone getting in the way of the team signing him.

DiBenedetto has proven that he can perform at a high level if given the right equipment, and as disappointing as him losing his ride with the progressing Leavine Family Racing was, a move to Stewart-Haas Racing would still be a major upgrade.

There is a slight chance that DiBenedetto could end up at the team even if they only replace one of Suarez and Bowyer as well. Stewart-Haas Racing are not known to sign youngsters, and DiBenedetto is 28 years old while Custer is only 21.

But if he doesn’t end up at Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2020 Cup Series season, where else might he end up?