After his sudden exit from NASCAR last year, Matt DiBenedetto has recently grabbed headlines again. Although instead of a podium finish or victory, DiBenedetto is going to grab a massive takeaway from real estate. He has sold his lavish property in the James Plantation community in Denver, North Carolina, for $1.7 million.

DiBenedetto moved into his new house in North Carolina back in 2023. It is a magnificent property that sprawls over 1.30 acres, with the house sporting five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 1.5 stories. Not only that, but it also has a three-car garage and can accommodate nine vehicles. One of them used to be the Chevy Corvette that DiBenedetto drove around.

According to the listing, the property was sold within four days of being listed. While Matt DiBenedetto has not commented yet about the reasons or his intentions, the recent sale does raise an important question about the recent fascinating trend in the NASCAR community.

For the past few years, many NASCAR drivers have decided to move on from their estates in Lake Norman. The NASCAR drivers generally preferred staying in properties near Lake Norman, North Carolina. For the past decade, it has hosted champions and race winners in their lavish homes.

Last year, multiple famous drivers like Regan Smith, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Martin Truex Jr., and Jamie McMurray sold their mansions around Lake Norman.

The most famous estate was Ricky Stenhouse Jr.‘s 9,000-square-foot residence that went for $12.2 million. Reportedly, Stenhouse Jr. cashed in three times the amount he paid for his property.

While Matt DiBenedetto is happily spending time away from NASCAR, his former team is already looking forward to new prospects.

Viking Motorsports finds new prospect to build around

In 2025, Viking Motorsports was an upcoming team in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In 2025, it was Matt DiBenedetto who was trying to lead the team. But this year, it will be their new prospect, Parker Retzlaff.

The former driver for Alpha Prime Racing was incredibly pumped up about the opportunity and did his best to take it up as fast as he could.

“I found out that I had the opportunity to take it, and I took it instantly. I knew with who was coming here that they were building a good program with a lot of the people around here. I think we’ve shown a lot this year, and there’s still more to show.”

With their alliance with Richard Childress Racing, Danny Efland, who is a former driver and second-year crew chief, will be partnering with Parker Retzlaff.

Dan Sackett, the owner of Viking Motorsports, is highly confident about his new prospect in the NOAPS.

“It’s a blessing that we got Parker to drive for us. He’s the nicest kid you will ever meet. He is hungry, talented, and humble. The guys in the shop like him because he’s there every day helping out, being one of the guys.”

Retzlaff is already proving himself valuable in the 2026 season. He is currently ninth in the driver standings, ahead of all four Joe Gibbs Racing entries. He was also the runner-up behind Sheldon Creed at the EchoPark Speedway.