From JR Motorsports PR –
DRIVER: Ben Rhodes / No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet
RACE: Owens Corning AttiCat 300 (200 laps / 300 miles)
TRACK: Chicagoland Speedway
DATE: Saturday, June 20, 2015
Quotes | Ben Rhodes
“Chicagoland Speedway is the fastest track that I have been to thus far. We tested there earlier this season, mainly so that I could get seat time in an XFINITY car before my debut at Iowa. However, the experience from the test combined with my Iowa Speedway start will help me to be more comfortable in the car this weekend, which will, in turn, give us more speed. Testing at Chicagoland also helped me learn some of its particular characteristics – it has bumps in both the corners and you need to carry a wide arch on entry.
“I would be satisfied with another top-10 finish in my Alpha Chevrolet this weekend. This race is all about experience. The more laps that I make, the more comfortable I will become. Comfort leads to speed!”
Notes | No. 88 Team
RECAPPING RHODES’ “POLITELY AGGRESSIVE” DEBUT IN IOWA: The JRM rookie made his first NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) start in Iowa on May 17, receiving his high-school diploma during driver introductions. His goal was to earn a top-10 finish. Near the end of the race, a caution came out while Rhodes was running 12th, setting the field up for a green-whitecheckered finish. Before that final restart, he politely asked the team if they would mind if he took it three-wide. After being quickly granted permission, Rhodes followed through on his request, going three wide and passing five cars en route to a seventh-place result, earning his desired top 10.
MILE-AND-A-HALF DEBUT: Rhodes will be making his first NXS start at a 1.5-mile track at Chicagoland Speedway. He’s only made one other start on a mile-and-a-half oval, coming close to victory in the ARCA Racing Series at Kentucky Speedway last September before getting caught up in a late-race incident that caused him to retire early from the event.
CHICAGOLAND TESTING: The NXS newcomer participated in a two-day test session with the No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevy at Chicagoland in April, providing him an opportunity to learn the track and get the feel of the XFINITY car on a 1.5-mile oval. He will race at two other intermediate tracks this season, Kentucky Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
RHODES’ 2015 SCHEDULE: In addition to Chicagoland and the previous Iowa event, Rhodes will be racing the No. 88 Chevrolet at New Hampshire (July 18), Iowa (Aug. 1), Watkins Glen (Aug. 8), Mid-Ohio (Aug. 15), Road America (Aug. 29), Kentucky (Sept. 26), Dover (Oct. 3) and Homestead (Nov. 21).
ALPHA: Alpha Energy Solutions, Inc., the regional leader in delivering top quality commercial and industrial mechanical service, is scheduled to be Louisville-native Rhodes’ primary partner for all 10 of his races in 2015.
For the full event preview, click here for the PDF.