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NASCAR: 5 possible landing spots for Matt DiBenedetto in 2020

By Asher Fair

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 09: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #95 Procore Toyota, during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 09: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #95 Procore Toyota, during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 01: Cole Custer, driver of the #00 FIMS Manufacturing Ford (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 01: Cole Custer, driver of the #00 FIMS Manufacturing Ford (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Stewart-Haas Racing (Xfinity Series)

As stated on the previous slide, if Stewart-Haas Racing opt to cut Clint Bowyer or Daniel Suarez for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, they would likely replace that driver with Cole Custer by promoting him from the Xfinity Series given the progression that he has shown over his first three seasons driving for the team.

Doing that would leave the seat of the #00 Ford open in the Xfinity Series, and if Matt DiBenedetto ends up not replacing one of these two drivers in the Cup Series, he could be an option to replace Custer even though it would mean leaving the Cup Series.

Again, DiBenedetto and team co-owner Tony Stewart don’t exactly have a friendly history together, but there is no reason for Stewart to let what happened several years ago get in the way of hiring the best available driver for his team at NASCAR’s second highest level.

If DiBenedetto is willing to look beyond the Cup Series for a potential ride next season, he would be smart to consider a ride with Stewart-Haas Racing in the Xfinity Series if it is on the table.

Like they are in the Cup Series, Stewart-Haas Racing are a competitive and championship-contending team in the Xfinity Series as well, and DiBenedetto has proven over the last few seasons that he can get the most out of whatever equipment he is given.

But if DiBenedetto does not end up driving for Stewart-Haas Racing at any level next season, where else might he end up?

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