During the Xfinity Series event at Portland International Raceway, Matt DiBenedetto experienced a dramatic escape as his car caught fire in the early laps, forcing an immediate stop and retirement. The frightening incident, centered around DiBenedetto’s No. 99 car, put the spotlight on the dangers of stock car racing and the effectiveness of modern safety equipment. The tense episode highlighted not only his personal risk but the importance of fire safety in motorsports, with the Matt DiBenedetto Portland Xfinity Series fire drawing significant attention from fans and professionals alike.
Sudden Fire Erupts Inside DiBenedetto’s Car
Matt DiBenedetto, a 34-year-old California native and experienced driver, qualified 24th and inched forward to 22nd at Portland’s sub-two-mile track before disaster struck on lap 25. An internal fire broke out near his footwell, forcing DiBenedetto to the grass as flames engulfed the cockpit. The chaos triggered the first caution of the race, with DiBenedetto struggling to exit the smoke-filled No. 99 as the situation intensified.
Speaking after receiving clearance from the infield care center, DiBenedetto described the harrowing sequence and his desperate efforts to break free:
“There was a big fire at my feet. All of a sudden, I was feeling we were getting really hot, I looked down on there; engulfed in flames, and so I pulled off, tried to get out really quick and in a hurry because they were fully on fire. And when I was getting out one of my laces of my shoes got wrapped around the pedals. So I went to get out and I was actually stuck. Feet were directly in the flames.
The situation was made worse as his fireproof racing equipment began to fail under the extreme heat. DiBenedetto noted how even the specialized gear couldn’t entirely shield him:
“I’m super thankful for these heat shields and all the safety gear that we have in these cars. but they were burning and melting.”
The ordeal ended with DiBenedetto being assisted by track safety staff after a perilous few moments, bringing an early close to his day at Portland International Raceway.
Recent Career Shifts for Matt DiBenedetto
Matt DiBenedetto has built his reputation by competing in all three of NASCAR’s national series, with his time in the Cup Series spanning seven years. After making the playoffs in 2020, the driver parted ways with Wood Brothers Racing at the end of the following season. Although disappointed, DiBenedetto shifted focus to the Truck Series before joining Viking Motorsports as a full-time driver last year, striving to regain his standing in the NASCAR ranks.
The transition allowed DiBenedetto new opportunities, and his collaboration with Viking Motorsports has shown promise. Reflecting on the team’s evolution and chemistry this year, DiBenedetto offered an optimistic yet realistic assessment through a message shared by Viking Motorsports:
“We’re all meshing as a team, everything is starting to come together. We’re all synced up and unified, our communication is really good. I would expect the rest of the season to be a lot more speed and consistency than the first part of the year.”
Despite the challenges, DiBenedetto has managed a single top-five finish in the ongoing 2025 season. He looks to add more strong performances in an effort to climb from his present 22nd position in the championship standings, determined to make his mark after a turbulent stretch in his career.
Impact of the Fire and Implications for Safety
The intense fire suffered by Matt DiBenedetto at Portland International Raceway brings renewed focus to the ever-present risks faced by drivers in the Xfinity Series and the critical role of advanced safety gear and on-track emergency protocols. DiBenedetto’s ordeal in the No. 99—marked by melting heat shields and a harrowing escape—will likely spark further examination into fire prevention strategies and safety improvements within NASCAR events.
With Portland as the backdrop, the Matt DiBenedetto Portland Xfinity Series fire underlines how, even for seasoned drivers and well-prepared teams like Viking Motorsports, racing remains a high-stakes pursuit where seconds can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. As the season continues, drivers and organizations alike may take steps to reassess their safety measures in light of these dramatic events.
