Team Shake-Up: Viking Motorsports Moves On from Matt DiBenedetto
The NASCAR world is buzzing with conversation, and it’s not just the sound of crew chiefs and drivers talking about the importance of running strong at the impending Tricky Triangle this weekend. Viking Motorsports just dropped a major bombshell that has folks scratching their heads and reaching for their coffee mugs a little earlier than usual. With only three races left in what’s been a wild NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the team made the tough call to part ways with Matt DiBenedetto and bring Connor Mosack into the fold.
Now, before we dive headfirst into this story, it’s wise to remember that racing is a business where decisions are made quickly and can sometimes be unpredictable, such as during a green flag restart at Talladega. Those decisions also sting worse than hitting the wall coming out of turn four, and that’s likely what Viking Motorsports frontman DiBenedetto is feeling right now. But why the rash decision to replace him with Mosack?
What Happened with Viking Motorsports and Matt DiBenedetto?
Viking Motorsports announced Monday that they’re making an immediate driver change for their No. 99 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Matt DiBenedetto, who’s been behind the wheel since the team’s inaugural season began, got the news that every driver dreads: he’s out, effective immediately. The timing feels rough, honestly. Three races. That’s all that was left between DiBenedetto and the checkered flag on another season.
Connor Mosack, who’s been making his mark in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, steps into the driver’s seat for the remaining races at Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. Jeremy Lange, Viking Motorsports’ general manager, kept it professional in the press release, saying they wanted to thank Matt for his contributions during their first year. But reading between the lines, you can feel the weight of what this means for both parties.
The Numbers Tell a Story for Viking Motorsports
Let’s talk about what DiBenedetto brought to the table during his time with Viking Motorsports. In 58 starts, he managed one top-five finish and four top-10 results. That lone top-five came at Talladega back in April and ironically, the same track where Mosack will make his debut with the team this Saturday.
Sitting 22nd in driver points, DiBenedetto’s numbers might not jump off the page, but anyone who understands NASCAR knows that building a new team from scratch is like trying to tune a race car with a wrench made of rubber. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of trial and error.
The thing is, Viking Motorsports is in its first year. First-year teams don’t usually light up the scoreboard right out of the gate. They’re learning everything from how their cars handle in traffic to which tire pressures work best at different tracks. That’s the reality of this sport, and it makes this decision even more puzzling.
History Has a Way of Repeating Itself
Here’s where this story gets a little heartbreaking, if we’re being honest. This isn’t DiBenedetto’s first rodeo with late-season releases. Back in 2023, he was driving the No. 25 Chevrolet for Rackley W.A.R. in the truck series when they cut him loose with and you guessed it with three races remaining. During his two seasons with that team, DiBenedetto actually won a race at Talladega.
That victory showed what he could do when everything clicked, but it wasn’t enough to save his ride when the team decided to go in a different direction. Before his truck series stint, DiBenedetto had a memorable run with Wood Brothers Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. Anyone who was at Bristol Motor Speedway that night in 2019 remembers watching him lead 93 laps, only to get passed by Denny Hamlin with 12 circuits left.
The crowd went wild for DiBenedetto that night. You could feel the emotion through the television screen. Through 248 Cup Series starts, he’s collected nine top-fives and 31 top-10 finishes. Those aren’t championship numbers, but they represent the career of a driver who’s given everything he had to this sport.
Connor Mosack Steps Into the Spotlight
Now, let’s shift our focus to Connor Mosack, who’s about to get his shot with Viking Motorsports. The 25-year-old has been making his presence felt in the truck series, where he runs full-time in the No. 81 Chevrolet for MHR Motorsports. Mosack brings some interesting experience to the table. He’s made 31 previous Xfinity Series starts and has shown flashes of speed, particularly on road courses.
This year alone, he wheeled cars for SS Green Light Racing at Chicago Street Course and Portland Raceway, plus he drove for JR Motorsports at Charlotte Roval, where he finished fifth. That fifth-place finish at Charlotte was his most recent Xfinity start, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. JR Motorsports doesn’t hand out rides to just anyone.
They’ve got a reputation for developing talent, and Mosack’s performance there likely caught Viking Motorsports’ attention. This weekend at Talladega, Mosack will be pulling double duty, running both the truck race and the Xfinity race for two different teams. That’s no small feat, especially at a track where anything can happen and usually does.
What This Means for Viking Motorsports Moving Forward
Viking Motorsports made it clear they’re thinking about the future. They mentioned in their announcement that they’ll reveal their 2025 driver plans later, which suggests this change might be about more than just the final three races of 2024. From a team-building perspective, this decision raises some questions. DiBenedetto helped establish the foundation of this organization during its inaugural season.
He navigated the growing pains, tackled the inevitable challenges of getting a new team up to speed, and provided valuable feedback that will benefit whoever sits in that seat next. Now, with Mosack coming aboard, Viking Motorsports gets a chance to evaluate a younger driver who might fit its long-term vision. It’s a business decision that makes sense from a development standpoint, even if the timing feels harsh.
The Bigger Picture in NASCAR
What happened with Viking Motorsports and DiBenedetto reflects some of the realities facing drivers in today’s NASCAR landscape. Rides are precious, funding is everything, and patience runs thin when results don’t match expectations.DiBenedetto now finds himself in a familiar but unwelcome position, looking for his next opportunity. At 34, he’s still got plenty of racing left in him, but the clock doesn’t stop ticking in this sport.
He’s been released from three different teams across three different series since 2021, which creates a narrative that’s difficult to overcome. For Mosack, this represents the kind of opportunity that can define a career. Three races might not seem like much, but impressive performances at Talladega, Martinsville, and Phoenix could open doors that lead to a full-time ride in 2025.
Looking Ahead to Talladega
This Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, all eyes will be on that No. 99 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet. Mosack will be making his debut with the team at a track where anything can happen and usually does. Talladega has a way of creating instant heroes and heartbreaking stories, sometimes in the same afternoon. For Mosack, it’s the perfect place to make a first impression.
For DiBenedetto, it must be tough watching someone else climb into the car at a track where he scored his lone victory for the team back in April. The superspeedway racing we’ll see this weekend is unlike anything else in motorsports. Strategy, timing, and a little bit of luck all play crucial roles in determining who takes the checkered flag. It’s the kind of environment where a driver can announce his arrival on the big stage with one well-timed move.
Final Thoughts
Viking Motorsports made their decision, and now it’s time to see how it plays out on the track. Three races will determine whether this change was the spark the team needed or if they’ll be looking back, wondering what might have been different. Whatever happens, one thing is certain. This story is far from over, and the next chapter begins this Saturday afternoon in Alabama.
