Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are following in the footsteps of Dale Earnhardt Sr. for at least one race weekend.
The two Cup drivers will be financial backers of a competitor in a Cup Series race, something Earnhardt did a handful of times in the late 1980s and early ‘90s via his Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet dealership.
Tuesday morning, Matt DiBenedetto took to Twitter to ask his followers to work their social media magic.
DiBenedetto, in his second season driving for the team, made a video requesting help in connecting the team with any businesses who would be interested in being on the car.
DiBenedetto made the plea because the team did not have a primary sponsor for this weekend’s race at ISM Raceway
Within eight minutes, Hamlin announced he would chip in $5,000 to help the team.
DiBenedetto replied that the team could put his face, the Denny Hamlin Foundation logo or “whatever you would like” on the car.
Hamlin later tweeted of DiBenedetto: “Very good driver here that deserves being on the track. Any company would be represented well on his car.”
Soon after that, NASCAR Hall of Famer and Fox Sports analyst Darrell Waltrip offered up another $5,000 through his “Boogity Brands.”
Harvick then followed with another $5,000 from KHI Management.
Who said nothing good ever happened on the Internet?
See how the deal scame together below and check back here to see what else comes of DiBenedetto’s social media Hail Mary.
Hey guys!
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) March 6, 2018
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
if you can help with an introduction to a sponsor that comes on board (big or small, anything helps!) we will obviously hook you up with pit passes! We're a small team so every dollar helps and goes a long way! Thank you for all of your help fans!
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) 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
You’re my hero! Anything helps a small team like us. We can run your face or the Denny Hamlin Foundation on our car or whatever you would like 👍 I can PM you for details! https://t.co/WRAAWC8TDC
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) March 6, 2018
I got my guys contacting gofas. Done. Goodluck
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 6, 2018
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
This really means a lot. Very kind words...thank you buddy https://t.co/1Ucq0gdmML
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) 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
I could about tear up right now at the overwhelming amount of support! Thank you so much DW. We will count you in as well. I will message you https://t.co/UtyRT8oWan
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) March 6, 2018
.@KHIManagement is in for $5,000! Good luck! https://t.co/4cPIlAmEj2
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) March 6, 2018
So managing the @GoFasRacing32 social handles is pretty crazy today. You fans are crazy/awesome/crazy-awesome.
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) March 6, 2018
Just a quick update! pic.twitter.com/1pItYRCxxM
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) March 6, 2018