Kentucky driver Ben Rhodes continued his summer swing of Legends Car action this past week racing at three tracks in three states. At the end of the trek, he crossed the finish line first all three times in the Young Lions division of racing.
On Tuesday, June 21st, Rhodes headed back to Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC) for the third round of the Summer Shootout Series, the most prestigious series for Legends Car racing nationwide. After winning the first two rounds from the pole, officials changed up how the starting field was determined, forcing Rhodes to work his way up to the lead during the race, but the end result was the same, maintaining the points lead in the series.
“Our car was hooked up on the track,” said Rhodes. “I have to thank my entire team for giving me a great car. To win one race during the Summer Shootout is a huge feat, but to win three in a row has been amazing.”
After the race, INEX, the officiating body for Legends Car racing, impounded Rhodes’ car to take to their Harrisburg, North Carolina, headquarters to check over 30 items on the car to make sure it was legal. On Wednesday afternoon, INEX deemed the car legal and Rhodes was officially awarded the Summer Shootout victory.
On Thursday, June 23rd, Rhodes headed to Atlanta Motor Speedway (GA) for the fourth round of the Thursday Thunder Series. He entered the race as the points leader, having to start in the eighth position, but worked his way to the lead during the event. A late-race caution created a green/white/checkered finish, and on the restart, Rhodes was moved out of the lead by a local Georgia racer. Heading into the final corners of the race, Rhodes was hit by the third-place driver, also a local Georgia racer, which pushed him into the back bumper of the leader. Rhodes was able to cross the finish line first, but was penalized by officials for rough driving, giving the win to the driver who caused the contact.
“I am very disappointed by the decision of the Atlanta Motor Speedway officials,” said Rhodes. “We didn’t do anything wrong on the last few corners. We were moved out of the way ourselves a lap before, then we were shoved into the leader by the third-place driver that they rewarded with the win. Even that driver admitted the contact in a video interview with media.”
Despite Ben Rhodes being the points leader in the series prior to round four, Rhodes Motorsports will not be returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“We were the leader in two of the prior three races at Atlanta, and got knocked out of the lead with no penalty issued to the other driver,” said Joe Rhodes, owner of Rhodes Motorsports. “Now they penalize us for something that we didn’t cause, just because we crossed the finish line first. It doesn’t make any sense.
“Other Legends racers outside of Georgia have warned us since we started going there that they treat their local drivers different than the outsiders. We chose not to believe that and drove hundreds of miles each week to support their series. We now know why the majority of racers in other states do not travel to race in the Thursday Thunder Series. It is unfortunate because we not only supported the track, but also the local economy by eating at local establishments and staying at hotels in the area while there. They have lost the true spirit of fair competition, so we have decided to not return to the track so their local drivers can shine in the spotlight as they would like without our presence.”
Shaking off the events from the Thursday series, Rhodes Motorsports headed back up to the Midwest to race at the Sportsdrome Speedway in Jefferson, Indiana, on Saturday, June 25th, as part of the 27th Annual Mountain Dew Oval Xtreme 100 event. Ben Rhodes strapped into his Legends Car and won his heat race, the followed it up with a victory in the feature.
“This was a great win for our team,” explained Ben Rhodes. “We have had a week of ups and downs, and to end the week on a good note shows that no matter what circumstances we are faced with, we hold our heads high and keep on moving forward. I want to thank Dennis, Tony, my family, sponsors and fans for their support each and every week.”
Rhodes will return to the seat of his #4 Legends Young Lions machine at Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC) on Tuesday, June 28th, for the fourth round of the Summer Shootout Series.