NASCAR Community Rallies Around DiBenedetto, Go Fas Racing

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor

Go Fas Racing and Matt DiBenedetto have found themselves in sponsorship trouble heading into Sunday’s race at ISM Raceway, but the NASCAR community has banded together to make sure they will make it to the grid for the TicketGuardian 500.

Starting with a tweet from DiBenedetto on Tuesday morning, alerting the world of their predicament, the effort started picking up steam, with fellow drivers and others in the sport pitching in to help out the small team make it to the track. Though Go Fas Racing has a charter and is guaranteed a starting spot, without a sponsor, life becomes extremely difficult for a team of their caliber.

Hey guys!

We hate doing this, but we are UNSPONSORED as of right now for @ISMRaceway this weekend! If you or anyone you know has the ability to help us connect with a business interested in coming on board this weekend please contact the @GoFasRacing32 page ASAP! pic.twitter.com/3hbFnTBBqI

— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) March 6, 2018

“Fans have been the whole reason why I’ve even made it where I am today,” said DiBenedetto. “I’m not trying to sound cliché, it really is. I couldn’t do it without you guys, so I figured why not reach out. I know it’s last second, but it’s worth a shot. You never know unless you try.”

The first to jump on board was Denny Hamlin, who pledged $5,000 toward the effort, but he wouldn’t be the last as the team then got offers to help from Kevin Harvick, Darrell Waltrip, and others as the day went along.

Very good driver here that deserves being on the track. Any company would be represented well on his car. https://t.co/cyQCui9Apv

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 6, 2018

Hell im in for 5k. Where do i send the check @mattdracing? https://t.co/cyQCui9Apv

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 6, 2018

.@KHIManagement is in for $5,000! Good luck! https://t.co/4cPIlAmEj2

— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) March 6, 2018

Boogity Brands is in for $5,000 where do I send the check!!! https://t.co/NOp8kZnvr4

— Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip) March 6, 2018

“It’s been a crazy day,” DiBenedetto added later in the day. “Denny Hamlin first reached out and said he wanted to hop on board and help, Kevin Harvick, Darrell Waltrip, and so many folks just reaching out and wanting to help. That’s unbelievable. That does help us a ton. Every little bit goes a long way here, so that is incredible. Thank you guys all so much. I don’t even know what to say, thank you is not near enough.”

DiBenedetto was contending for the win in the Daytona 500 before getting caught up in a wreck late and finishing 27^th, following that up with finishes of 31^st and 22^nd over the last two weeks. He currently sits 30^th in points heading to Phoenix.

The Grass Valley, California native has three top-10 finishes in his four-year Cup Series career, with two of those coming last season. In six starts at ISM Raceway, DiBenedetto has a best finish of 20^th place.