NASCAR: 5 drivers most likely to switch teams for 2022
By Asher Fair
Drivers most likely to switch teams after 2021: No. 2 – Matt DiBenedetto
Entering the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, there was one driver who we all knew was in his last season with his current team. That driver is Matt DiBenedetto, who is in his second season driving the iconic #21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing.
Wood Brothers Racing have a technical alliance with Team Penske, and last October, Team Penske were set to announce Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric as DiBenedetto’s replacement for 2021. However, DiBenedetto’s performance late in the year changed their minds, and they stuck with the 29-year-old Grass Valley, California native for another year.
But this confirmation came with the announcement that Cindric would get the nod to replace DiBenedetto behind the wheel of the #21 Ford after the 2021 season.
This, however, isn’t a guarantee now. Cindric is still set for a Cup Series promotion, but with Brad Keselowski likely moving to Roush Fenway Racing, he could slide into Team Penske’s #2 Ford if they deem him ready for that jump after another full Xfinity Series season.
In that case, DiBenedetto could end up back in the #21 Ford for what would be a third year in 2021. The partnership that DiBenedetto and Wood Brothers Racing have has been a good one, and if it doesn’t need to end, there’s no reason to think anybody is going to force it to.
On the other hand, if the original plan is carried out and Cindric replaces DiBenedetto, DiBenedetto would be an ideal candidate for the #2 Ford. But even if that doesn’t work out, he should have a other options available to him as well, given how well he has performed with the opportunities he has had over the years.