NASCAR: The driver who needs a Daytona win the most
By Randy Smith
With only one spot left up for grabs in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, one driver arguably needs it more than the others.
With Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick having punched his ticket to the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in this past Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway, there is now only one spot available with one race remaining in the regular season at Daytona International Speedway this Saturday night.
Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick currently sits in the 16th and final playoff spot, with teammate Austin Dillon sitting 25 points behind him as the only other driver who can possibly qualify on points.
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While both Richard Childress Racing teammates will ultimately have to compete against one another for the last playoff spot, it may not actually end up going to either one.
And they may not be the ones who need it the most.
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Obviously, not making the playoffs means that these drivers will have no shot at winning the 2021 championship, but Dillon and Reddick won’t have to worry about their careers should they not make the playoffs.
Dillon, the grandson of team owner Richard Childress, seems to be tied to the #3 Chevrolet for as long as he chooses to race. Reddick might not spend his entire career with Richard Childress Racing, but he shouldn’t be considered on the hot seat, or anywhere close, if he loses out on the final playoff spot.
Additionally, drivers competing for new teams, including Trackhouse Racing Team’s Daniel Suarez and 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, won’t have to worry about finding a new job should they not win the regular season finale.
Suarez has already been announced as the driver of the #99 Chevrolet for next season, and Wallace has rumors of a teammate, not a replacement, at the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.
One driver, however, could save his career with a win: Matt DiBenedetto.
The driver of the legendary #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford has already found out that he will be replaced next year by current Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series driver Harrison Burton. DiBenedetto does not have a ride set up for next year, and he has added he will “entertain anything” for 2022.
A win this weekend would give Wood Brothers Racing their 100th win in the Cup Series, and it would serve as a nice audition for DiBenedetto for any team interested in his services for 2022.
The 30-year-old Grass Valley, California native doesn’t bring much funding with him, so his results on the race track are going to be what teams evaluate when considering signing him.
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“Matty D” has spent most of his career as the ultimate underdog, and he has been a constant victim of “close but no cigar”. But eventually, this has to change for him if he wants to continue his NASCAR career. As former crew chief Steve Letarte put it, “winners get hired”. This Saturday night’s race presents DiBenedetto with one of his best chances to win, and it’s the one he may need the most.