Ben Rhodes Race Preview – UARA-STARS Late Model Stock Event on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012, at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC)
15-year-old Kentucky racer Ben Rhodes, driver of the #9 Stanley / Alpha Energy Solutions Ford Fusion for Marcos Ambrose Motorsport, is heading back to Hickory Motor Speedway (NC) on Saturday, June 23rd, for the 150-lap UARA-STARS Late Model Stock event. The race is the seventh stop on the series tour and the second event at the famous North Carolina track in 2012. Rhodes currently sits sixth in the series points standings, 106 points out of first place.
Rhodes on returning to Hickory:“I have had this date circled on my calendar since our strong run back in March in the UARA opener. I really enjoy racing at Hickory Motor Speedway, and we are ready to drive the #9 Stanley / Alpha Energy Solutions Ford Fusion to another great finish.”
On Rebounding after Newport: “We had a great weekend at Newport Speedway (TN), but we just had some bad luck having to park our car for overheating after someone bogged down the outside line on the start, caving in our nose. Those weekends happen though, and we have put that behind us. We learned a lot there and have some great notes for when we return to Newport Speedway in July.”
On Non-UARA Events at the Track: “We have entered a few NASCAR Whelen All-American Series races at Hickory this year to help get us some track time. It has really helped our program and we have had three top-five finishes in all three NASCAR races there. The entire Marcos Ambrose Motorsport team has really excelled at Hickory and the results show we are strong there.”
On the Rookie Crop for UARA in 2012: “There are a lot of great rookie drivers in UARA this year. The competition has been strong for Rookie of the Year. In the first six races there has been a different Rookie of the Race award winners. My third-place finish at Hickory in March earned me the award, so I am hoping to be the first-repeat winner of the award this weekend.”
Race Details
UARA-STARS Late Model Stock – 150 Laps
Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
Hickory Motor Speedway (NC)
Qualifying: 5:00pm Eastern
Autograph Session: 6:20pm – 7:15pm Eastern
Green Flag: 7:30pm Eastern (local divisions also racing)
Broadcast: Live pay-per-view on www.MotorsportsBroadcasting.com ($9.95)
Ben Rhodes Race Day Updates: www.Twitter.com/BenRhodesInc
Ben Rhodes 2012 UARA-STARS Stats
Starts: 6
Wins: 0
Top 5: 1
Top 10: 3
Best Finish: 3rd (Hickory on March 17th)
Current Points Position: 6th (-106 points)
Ben Rhodes Fast Facts and Career Milestones
Birth date: February 21st, 1997
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
- 2004 – 2009: Raced Go-Karts; won multiple asphalt and dirt championships
- 2008 – 2009: Raced Bandoleros; 2009 Kentucky (state) and F.A.S.T. Midwest Series Champion
- 2010: Raced Legends Cars; won 10 poles at Kentucky Speedway; six national victories
- 2011: Earned 43 Legends Cars Young Lions division victories (more than any other 1200+ Legends drivers internationally); Winter Heat Series Champion; Winter Nationals Champion; F.A.S.T. Midwest Champion; finished third in Legends Big Money 100 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (only non-Pro in top 10)
- 2011: Made Late Model (Stock) debut with Fat Head Racing; five top-10 qualifying efforts; three top-10 finishes
- 2012: Racing UARA-STARS Late Model Stock (full season) / NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock (various events); six top-six finishes in 10 starts; earned Rookie of the Race in first UARA-STARS event (Hickory Motor Speedway)
On the Net
Web: www.BenRhodesInc.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BenRhodesInc
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BenRhodesInc
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/BenRhodesInc
Team Information
Web: www.MarcosAmbroseMotorsport.com
High-Res Photos: http://www.marcosambrosemotorsport.com/marcos-ambrose-motorsport-pr-photos.html
Media / Public Relations
Jason Stix Buckley
STIX FX Entertainment
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