Viking Motorsports replaces Matt DiBenedetto, effective immediately

In a surprising announcement, Viking Motorsports announced that Matt DiBenedetto will not finish the 2025 season behind the wheel of the No. 99 Chevrolet.

DiBenedetto has driven for the small NASCAR Xfinity Series team since the beginning of its brief history. The former Cup driver is 22nd in the championship standings, with a best finish of fifth at Talladega.

“We’d like to thank Matt for his contributions throughout our inaugural season,” said Jeremy Lange, general manager of Viking Motorsports. “He played a meaningful role in establishing the foundation of this team, and we wish him the best.”

Matt DiBenedetto, Viking Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Jordan Bank / Getty Images

Connor Mosack will drive the car in the final three races of the year at Talladega, Martinsville, and Phoenix. Mosack has 31 previous starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but just three this year -- two with Bobby Dotter and one with JR Motorsports.

Mosack has two top fives and four top tens in the secondary NASCAR division with his best results coming on road courses. He also currently competed full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series, and sits 14th in the championship standings.

The team will reveal further details on its 2026 plans at a later date.

While the team offered no reason for the abrupt parting of ways, this is not the first time something like this has happened during DiBenedetto's career. Strangely, he was full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2023 Rackley W.A.R. also ousted him from the seat with just three races left in the season, even after making the playoffs.

It's unclear what is next for DiBenedetto, who has 248 Cup starts, 127 Xfinity starts, and 43 Truck starts. His only win at the national level came in a Truck race at Talladega in 2022.