From ThorSport Racing PR –

 

Ben Rhodes, No. 41 XPO Logistics Toyota Tundra

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Fred’s 250 – Talladega Superspeedway

Race No. 19 of 23

 

Team Information:

Crew Chief: Kevin Bellicourt

Manufacturer: Toyota

Engine: Triad Racing Technologies

2016 Driver Points: 13th

2016 Owner Points: 14th

 

Sounding Off – Ben Rhodes:

What can you take away from Daytona earlier this season and apply to Talladega this weekend?

“Survival. Daytona was an eye-opener for me. That was my very first start on a superspeedway, and they say Talladega is even faster. I know handling isn’t really an issue at Talladega, its nothing but speed – an aerodynamic truck and horsepower. I learned a lot at Daytona about survival, as long as you survived, you were good. I know ThorSport Racing can building some superspeedway bullets, and I just want to put it in victory lane for them there.”

 

How intense is a restrictor plate race for a driver?

“Intense is a good word for it, but for me, its just frustrating. No matter where you went, or how big of a draft you got, you couldn’t go anywhere without help. I’ve made my diplomacy with everyone in the truck garage, because you need some friends at a place like Talladega. At Daytona, I would get a huge run, 10 to 15mph or more than the guys in front of me, I could shoot to their outside and move up a couple of rows, but as soon as I did that, I would fall straight back. Or, even if I pulled out and had a decent run, I’d just stay even with them and fall back. It’s just frustrating trying to make passes, but if your patient, the rewards will come. You just need to put yourself in the right positions, and be patient.”

 

News & Notes:

  • Chassis Chatter…The No. 41 ThorSport Racing team will unload chassis No. 24 for Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Fred’s 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. This is the same chassis Rhodes raced to a seventh-place finish at Daytona International Speedway earlier this season.
  • Superspeedway Stats… Rhodes, who will be making his 23rd career NCWTS start on Saturday, will also make his track debut at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. The Louisville, KY native has one superspeedway start to his credit. Rhodes started 24th, and finished seventh at Daytona International Speedway earlier this season.
  • Rookie Stripe… Rhodes is currently fourth in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings after 18 of 23 races this season.
  • Race Rewind – Las Vegas…Making his track debut at Las Vega Motor Speedway in the NCWTS, Rhodes started eighth, ran as high as seventh, and finished 12th.
  • XPO Logistics Back on Board… XPO Logistics, one of the world’s largest providers of transportation and logistics services, will make their second appearance on board the No. 41 Toyota Tundra of Rhodes this weekend at Talladega. The global XPO Logistics brand made their debut during the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway.

Rhodes’ 2016 NCWTS Stats:

  • Starts: 18
  • Poles: 1 (Martinsville, 2016)
  • Top-5 Finishes: 2
  • Top-10 Finishes: 5
  • Laps Completed: 2472 of 2714 (91.1%)
  • Laps Led: 55
  • Avg. Start: 8.7
  • Avg. Finish: 15.2

Rhodes’ Career NCWTS stats:

  • Starts: 22 since 2014
  • First full-time season: 2016
  • Poles: 1 (Martinsville, 2016)
  • Top-5 Finishes: 3
  • Top-10 Finishes: 8
  • Laps Completed: 3223
  • Laps Led: 55
  • First start: Martinsville, 2014 (8th)
  • Best finish: 2nd (Gateway, 2016)
  • Avg. Start: 8.7
  • Avg. Finish: 14.5

Race Information:

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2016

Time: 1:00pm ET on FOX, MRN Radio & SiriusXM Channel 90

Track: 2,66-mile superspeedway

Distance: 94 laps/250.04 miles

 

About XPO Logistics, Inc.

XPO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: XPO) is a top ten global provider of cutting-edge supply chain solutions to the most successful companies in the world. The company provides services for truckload brokerage and transportation, last mile logistics, engineered supply chain solutions, high-value-add warehousing and distribution, ground and air expedite, less-than-truckload transportation, intermodal, drayage, managed transportation and global forwarding. XPO serves more than 50,000 customers with a highly integrated network of over 87,000 employees and 1,440 locations in 33 countries. XPO’s corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Conn., USA, and its European headquarters is in Lyon, France. For more information visit: www.xpo.com.

 

About Alpha Energy Solutions:

Alpha Energy Solutions is a commercial and industrial service provider specializing in building automation, indoor energy solutions, chillers, boilers, electrical, equipment rental, food equipment service, piping, plumbing, sheet metal, refrigeration, insulation, and part sales.  With more than 200 service personnel, Alpha is one of the largest self-performing service providers. Alpha’s highly skilled technicians operate quickly and efficiently in all areas of system maintenance and management. As members of the community they serve, Alpha’s associates are committed to job quality and customer satisfaction. To learn more, visit www.alphamechanicalservice.com

 

About ThorSport Racing:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing, which has competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra driven by Cameron Hayley, the No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Toyota Tundra driven by Ben Rhodes, and the No. 98 Safelite/CURB Records Toyota Tundra driven by Rico Abreu in 2016. To learn more visit www.ThorSport.com

 

ThorSport Racing Media Contact:

Jessica O’Brien

Phone: 803-240-5807

Email: [email protected]