Earning a single championship in any racing series is difficult to do. Earning two championships in just a few months is almost unheard of, however Legends Young Lions division racer Ben Rhodes obtained that feat by first winning the 2010-2011 Winter Heat Series championship in January, then claiming his second series title just a month later by being named the Winter Nationals champion, all before the 2011 INEX national points season started.

Throughout December and January, Rhodes competed in the eight-race Winter Heat series at Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC) that held events on the 1/5-mile oval behind the NASCAR track and on the infield road course. Rhodes won four of the eight races, three of which came on the road course, which sealed his points championship.

From Charlotte, Rhodes traveled to the week-long Winter Nationals event at Auburndale Speedway (FL) in February. Despite some mechanical troubles, Rhodes made his way to Victory Lane twice during the week and secured the Young Lions championship there as well.

“I wanted to stay in the seat all winter, so we went to Charlotte knowing there would be great competition, and after a strong run there we decided to go to Florida and give it a try,” explained Rhodes. “The Winter Nationals proved to be as tough, but we were able to pull through with a lot of hard work and won the championship. It was an awesome experience; I had a lot of fun and I met some great people too.”

While Rhodes clearly has talent behind the wheel, he is always quick to give credit to his team for his on-track success.

“I would like to thank Dennis Lambert, Tony Wachter, Marshall Jaggers, and the rest of the team for all their hard work,” explained Rhodes. “This is a sport of teamwork, and with the great support I get from my team, it gives me the confidence that when I get on the track I have the best of the best to perform my job from behind the wheel.”

After starting off the new year with so much success, Rhodes has set the bar very high for himself for the rest of the 2011 season. With a full schedule consisting of over 80 events, he will have plenty of chances for more championships and race wins this year.

“I am looking forward to the Fast Midwest Series and the Summer Shootout,” said Rhodes. “Our Rhodes Motorsports team started off the season with success, and we hope to continue that momentum for the entire race season.”

Rhodes will be back in the seat in mid-March for the Spring Fling Series at the Indianapolis Speedrome (IN).