In light of the situation that Matt DiBenedetto is facing right now, Denny Hamlin said that it is a “systematic problem” in the industry.
DiBenedetto has a lot of Cup experience to his name with 244 races completed so far in his career. Yet he finds himself looking for a ride for the 2022 season. However, the problem is that he is not getting any close to having one due to a lack of funding and sponsorship.
The situation is very big in the NASCAR industry as without bringing in funding and sponsorship, a driver finds himself without a ride.
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Bob Pockrass spoke about the DiBenedetto with Denny Hamlin.
“I don’t know that DiBenedetto has any best/likely option at this point. He doesn’t have significant funding/sponsorship yet so still TBD on where he could end up,” Pockrass said. “Most current open rides would require some form of sponsorship to come with the driver or team landing sponsor.”
Replying to him, Hamlin said that it is a systematic problem in the industry and he would not have got a change in today’s situation.
“Seems like a systematic problem Bob,” Hamlin replied.
“I would have NEVER got a chance in today’s climate.I’m confident in that. Could you maybe estimate how many of the top 10 in Xfinity current supplement income to the teams that they drive for? Not that some aren’t worthy because they are.”
The situation is very frustrating for DiBenedetto who is now even looking to ride in the Xfinity league to save his racing career.
The rich get richer……There are a thousand drivers out there that could compete with these guys, but have no backing or funds to do so. i personally am a fan at my local small track (in Idaho) that in years gone by placed driver’s at Indy as well as Nascar upper divisions. But no chance any more. Way too expensive.
NASCAR is entertainment, not an industry:
noun
1.
economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories.
That being said, I agree that the sport is very difficult for a driver to get into unless the have lots of financial backing. It takes a lot of money to race at any level and that only increases with the level of competition. It was certainly more entertaining ( only one opinion) when the teams were smaller and leaner. It was also a different era then. Now big money is what it takes to put on a big show. If fans really want to see grassroots racing, they should support their local tracks at all levels.