Ben Rhodes Race Preview – UARA-STARS Late Model Stock Event on Saturday, July 14th, 2012, at Newport Speedway (TN)
15-year-old Kentucky racer Ben Rhodes is heading back to Newport Speedway (TN) for the second time of the 2012 season to race the #9 Stanley / Alpha Energy Solutions Ford Fusion for Marcos Ambrose Motorsport in the UARA-STARS Late Model Stock event on Saturday, July 14th, 2012. The 150-lap race is the eighth stop on the tour and second time UARA races at Newport Speedway this season. Rhodes currently sits fourth in the series points standings, 111 points out of first place.
Rhodes on returning to Newport: “I have had this race on my mind since we were there in June. In that event we qualified 12th, and then on the start of the race someone up in front missed a shift or didn’t go which damaged the front of our car. We were only able to go about 20 laps before the engine started to overheat, so we had to pull off the track.
“We had a fast car all weekend there, so the entire Marcos Ambrose Motorsport team is looking forward to going back and getting redemption.”
Rhodes on Momentum after Near Win at Hickory: “We were very close to winning the last UARA race at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC). The #9 Stanley / Alpha Energy Solutions Ford was hooked up and on a roll there. We led more than 50 laps towards the end of the race and got beat on a final restart. I really wanted to win that one, but finishing second and having the run we did really pumped up the team especially after a few races of bad luck. That first win is right around the corner for us.”
Rhodes on Beating the Heat: “Racing during the hot summer can be tough on everyone at the track. The entire team makes sure they stay hydrated over the weekend, and we have made some changes with our car to make it a bit more comfortable while racing. We will be using a Koolbox unit this weekend that will not only help keep me cool, but also help filter out any carbon monoxide that could get into the car and affect my focus during the race.”
Race Details
UARA-STARS Late Model Stock – 150 Laps
Saturday, July 14th, 2012
Newport Speedway (TN)
Qualifying: 5:30pm Eastern
Autograph Session: 7:00pm – 7:45pm Eastern
Green Flag: 8:00pm 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: 7
Wins: 0
Top 5: 2
Top 10: 4
Best Finish: 2nd (Hickory on June 23rd)
Current Points Position: 4th (-111 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); seven top-six finishes in 12 starts; earned Rookie of the Race in first UARA-STARS event (Hickory Motor Speedway); finished sixth in invite-only Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond (VA)
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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