Matt DiBenedetto finally did it. After years of journeyman driving, the Grass Valley, California native brought home his first career win in NASCAR’s premier series, doing so at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 1.
The win is also the first for Rackley-W.A.R., in its second full-time season in existence.
Playoff driver Ben Rhodes and hometown hero Bret Holmes rounded out the top three – remember that for later. A last-lap crash brought out a caution that froze the field mere feet from the start-finish line, causing controversy in an otherwise tame playoff race.
Scary Exit for Jordan Anderson
On lap 18, fan favorite Jordan Anderson entered turn 1 when his engine expired and caused the truck to burst into flames. Immediately, Anderson threw the window net down and worked on getting out, despite the truck continuing to travel through turn 2 and coming to a screeching halt against the inside wall (but not before smacking it driver-side first).
NASCAR reports that Jordan Anderson is awake and alert after this scary crash at Talladega. pic.twitter.com/z3qe4VpWWz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) October 1, 2022
Anderson finally was able to escape his burning No. 3, but collapsed to the ground in pain. He was airlifted to the University of Alabama-Birmingham medical center for further treatment.
Jordan is being airlifted to UAB Medical Center pic.twitter.com/IWD98bUFf3
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneLT) October 1, 2022
His crew chief, Artie Haire, told FOX Sports 1 that Anderson was dealing with burns, which Anderson himself confirmed later in the evening via Twitter.
— Jordan Anderson (@j66anderson) October 1, 2022
A scary situation for sure.
Hailie Deegan has Major Pit Troubles
Hailie Deegan came with what seemed like the entire pack to pit road on lap 64 for her final pit stop. However, so many trucks came down pit lane that Deegan was forced to the middle and had to make a hard left turn into her pit stall, which was the first one on the pit lane.
Luckily, she didn’t hit any drivers. Unfortunately, she ran into her tire carrier, who fell down. The incident launched the tire across pit road (which everyone somehow managed to avoid) and into the frontstretch infield.
But not only was Deegan going to be penalized for an uncontrolled tire, NASCAR was also forced to throw the caution – surprisingly, not because of the tire, but after one of her crew members ran clear out into the infield to retrieve the tire.
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