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After a unfortunate start to the 2021 season, Matt DiBenedetto's 14th place finish at Phoenix brought him a boost in the standings to 30th from 28th place. To some, might not sound like much of a move, but for DiBenedetto it is both necessary and significant.
Next season DiBenedetto will not return to the No. 21 at Wood Brother Racing, instead 2020 Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric will be moving up to take his seat. These days, the WBR No. 21 is essentially a fourth car for Team Penske, as Penske has much control over operations at WBR. Unless a major change occurs before 2022, it seems as though Cindric (a current Team Penske driver) will smoothly transition from his No. 22 in the Xfintiy Series, to the No. 21 in the Cup Series, effectively forcing Matt DiBenedetto into free agency.
Now, DiBenedetto knows he will not be returning to to the No. 21 next season, and that he must prove himself throughout now, in order to secure a ride in 2022. Yesterday DiBenedetto made his best finish of the 2021 season, finishing 14th, which is a worrying statistic considering the No. 21 made the playoffs last season, and that DiBenedetto needs to perform well, now more than ever. Can he do better? Well, he has to, or he could end up like Ty Dillon, and left without a full-time Cup ride.
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