Team Info/Stats:
Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis
Driver Point Standings: 4th
Owner Point Standings: 4th
Spotter: Lloyd Garner
News and Notes:
- This Week’s No. 41 Ford F-150… The No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Ford F-150 team will unload chassis No. 37 at Dover International Speedway this weekend, last competing in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Stratosphere 200. Nicknamed “Marshmallow” after surviving the shop’s June 2016 fire, the chassis last earned a seventh-place finish in Las Vegas, while previously earning a track-best finish of fourth at Dover in 2017. Leading 71 laps in the 2017 Dover race, Rhodes went on to earn his first career NCWTS win at Las Vegas last fall, leading 20 laps, all in chassis No. 37. Overall, “Marshmallow” has one win, four top-five and three top-10 finishes, while leading 151 laps in its 12 races.
- Dover by the Stats… Making his seventh start at the “Monster Mile” in a professional racing series this weekend, Rhodes has seen both ups and downs courtesy of the track’s mascot, “Miles the Monster.” Competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE), the NCWTS and NASCAR Xfinity Series, Rhodes saw a track-best finish in 2017 in chassis No. 37, the same truck he will bring this weekend. Despite other less than desirable outcomes, Rhodes has qualified in the top 10 five of the seven appearances he’s made at Dover, in addition to clinching his 2014 NKNPSE Championship at the track.
- Aiming High with the Air Force… Rhodes, along with the entire ThorSport Racing organization, will welcome members of the 436th Airlift Wing to the “Monster Mile” on JEGS 200 race day, Friday, May 4. Home to approximately 3,323 active duty airmen, the unit, known as the “Eagle Wing” and housed at nearby-Dover Air Force Base, flies hundreds of missions throughout the world and provides 25 percent of the Nation’s strategic airlift capability, projecting global reach to over 100 countries around the world.
- Catch Rhodes in Dover… Rhodes will join fellow ThorSport Racing teammates for the NCWTS autograph session at the Office of Highway Safety Display in the Fan Zone at Dover International Speedway from 11-11:45 a.m. ET, Friday, May 4. Additionally, Rhodes takes the Ford Display Stage at noon ET, Friday, May 4, for a fan Q&A in the Midway.
Chatting with Ben Rhodes…
“We’re taking chassis No. 37 back to Dover International Speedway this weekend, which has been really successful for us. We ran it at [Las] Vegas last year and got a win. We also ran it at Dover, leading more laps than anyone else, and in my opinion, we should’ve won. Unfortunately, Chase Briscoe lost a tire while we were in the pits at that time, and it put us a lap down. All in the matter of a few laps, we went from the back of the field up to fourth, so I’m looking to have a repeat of our effort – a really solid performance – but this time, we need to finish it out and get a win.”
You have a special opportunity this weekend hosting airmen from Dover Air Force Base for the JEGS 200. What are your thoughts on the unique experience?
“It’s no secret we’re huge supporters of our military, and whenever you get the opportunity to host men and women in uniform at the racetrack, it’s something really special. This weekend is no different; we’ve put together some care packages for our guests, and I know I’m really looking forward to a great time giving them a hauler tour, and showing the airmen a little bit of what we do.”