Denny Hamlin raced past Matt DiBenedetto with 11 laps remaining to win the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday Night. The victory is Hamlin’s fourth of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, and 35th career win.
Hamlin experienced mixed emotions immediately after the race. On one end, he knew what he had to do for Fedex and his Joe Gibbs Racing team, which was to win the race at all costs. On the other end, the driver he passed for the win is a fan favorite and good friend, who came within laps of earning his first career victory.
“I am so sorry to Matt DiBenedetto, Mike Wheeler – I hate it. I know a win would mean a lot to that team, but I have to give it 110%,” said Hamlin to Rutledge Wood on the frontstretch following the race. “I didn’t want to show him the bottom until I knew I could make the pass. I got the position on the bottom and finished it.”
Matt DiBenedetto Resilient in Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race
DiBenedetto entered driver intros to the Rocky theme song, dressed in a boxing robe and gloves. While drive introductions at Bristol is fun for the drivers and fans, DiBenedetto took the opportunity to send a clear message he is willing to fight for wins in the Cup Series and earn a top ride for next season.
Just earlier in the week, it was announced that DiBenedetto will not return to Leavine Family Racing for 2020, opening the door for NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Christopher Bell to take his seat. In response, DiBenedetto nearly won the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, earning his best career finish of 2nd place. In the last 9 races, the No. 95 team has five Top 10 finishes.
In 2016, DiBenedetto finished 6th at Bristol Motor Speedway driving for an underfunded team. Three years later, the 28 year old driver from Grass Valley, California came within laps of his first career victory.
“I wanted to win so bad for these guys, for this team, for them giving me this opportunity,” said an emotional DiBenedetto on pitroad after the race. “Congrats to Denny, he raced hard. I’ve been a fan of his since I was a kid.”
“I’m trying not to get emotional, but it’s been a tough week, and I just want to stick around and keep doing this for a long time to come,” said DiBenedetto fighting back tears.
Like DiBenedetto, Rocky lost his first fight against Apollo. Rocky didn’t quit, he trained harder, grew stronger, and overcame adversity to reach victory.
In one simple statement, DiBenedetto shows he’s willing to do the same: “I love it, I love the opportunity, and I’m not done yet.”
