Ben Rhodes – 2018 Martinsville II Preview

Oct 23, 2018

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No. 41 Carolina Nut Co. Ford F-150
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Martinsville Speedway – Texas Roadhouse presented by Alpha Energy Solutions
Race No. 20 of 23

Team Info/Stats:

Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis
Driver Point Standings: 7th
Owner Point Standings: 6th
Spotter: Lloyd Garner  

Chatting with Ben Rhodes…

“Coming to the Texas Roadhouse 200 this weekend, we’re looking to finish what we started in the spring race at Martinsville. We came so close and led many laps, but we didn’t bring the trophy home. That’s a big disappointment for our team, and we’ve looked back at this the entire season with anticipation and excitement for the fall race. We know that we have a Ford F-150 that’s plenty capable to get there, and our whole Carolina Nut Co. team is determined to get ourselves a win and potentially an owner’s championship for Duke and Rhonda Thorson. I feel like this would be a good boost of confident for our team, and really set a good tone for the remainder of the season. Even though there are only four races left, a lot can happen, and we’re hoping to make Martinsville spectacular for everyone that’s there.”

Chassis No. 61
Starts: 7
Last raced: Gateway, 2018
Poles: 1 (Martinsville, 2018)
Wins: 0
Laps led: 151
Top-five finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 2
Highest start: 1st (Rhodes – Martinsville, 2018)
Highest finish: 4th (C. Hayley – Phoenix, 2016)

Rhodes at Martinsville (NCWTS)
Starts: 6
Wins: 0
Poles: 2 (2016, 2018)
Laps led: 176
Highest start: 1st (2016)
Highest finish: 8th (2014)
Last race finish: 12th (2018)
Average start: 8.0
Average finish: 14.0
Laps completed: 1,410

Race Recap: Talladega
Started: 14th
Stage 1: 9th
Stage 2: 4th
Finished: 16th
Laps: 93 / 94
Laps Led: 0
Status: Running

News and Notes

Stopover in the Sunset State… Not only did Rhodes get a pre-race preview of ISM Raceway’s recent redesign, he spent the day back in a high school classroom with students at Trevor Browne High School and the DRAGG program (Drag Racing Against Gangs and Graffiti). DRAGG Phoenix’s mission is to “provide an alternative to gangs and graffiti through a positive learning opportunity that teaches youth responsibility and respect for others in the unique environment of the automotive industry, while gaining hands on exposure to knowledge of automotive careers.” Originating in Oxnard, California, the program was recently introduced to the Phoenix, Arizona-area after starting with an automotive shop, an idea and a Ford Mustang. After spending time in the classroom with the students and checking out their vehicles built for the upcoming 2018 SEMA Show, it was Rhodes’s turn to take the students to his turf, spending the afternoon at ISM Raceway, many of the students’ first time exposed to NASCAR.