NASCAR: 5 possible Trackhouse Racing drivers for 2022

Possible 2022 Trackhouse Racing drivers: No. 3 – Matt DiBenedetto

The curious case of Matt DiBenedetto’s future still hangs in the balance, with a lot of unknowns definitely not helping the driver of #21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing. As of this moment, DiBenedetto is set to become a free agent after the 2021 season, with 2020 Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric set to take the 29-year-old Grass Valley, California native’s ride in 2022.

With the aforementioned Brad Keselowski slated to move to Roush Fenway Racing, it is still unclear who will drive the #2 Ford for Team Penske in 2022. While Cindric leap-frogging the Team Penske-aligned Wood Brothers Racing team to take Keselowski’s spot seems to be an option, this would then leave an opening in the #21 Ford.

If Cindric takes Keselowski’s ride, one would assume the safe bet would be to keep DiBenedetto in-house an pick up his option for 2022, allowing him to continue driving for the team with which he made his first playoff appearance in 2020. But if Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing stick to their original plan, DiBenedetto could be forced to look elsewhere.

Even if Cindric takes Keselowski’s spot, both Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing have reason to look elsewhere to find the driver of the #21 Ford for 2022.

Compared to last season at this time, DiBenedetto has recorded the same number of top five finishes (two) but fewer top 10 finishes (three vs. five). With eight finishes outside of the top 20 compared to just three at this point last season, he is probably going to have to win to get into the playoffs. This could give Wood Brothers Racing enough of a reason to look elsewhere.

Still, DiBenedetto has shown his potential to make the most out of his opportunities. He nearly won at Bristol Motor Speedway for the now defunct Leavine Family Racing, and he made the playoffs in his first season at Wood Brothers Racing. Trackhouse could see this and bring the fan-favorite on board for next year.